You will learn
- Subtract by crossing out pictures.
- Draw a picture for a subtraction.
- Find the number left from a picture.
- Write the sentence for a picture.
Version 0.1 · published for early use · expert review pending Standards alignment: pending verification. Not yet reviewed against the Courseversity scorecard.
Student lesson
Words to know
Draw a line through a picture to show it is taken away.
A drawing.
What remains.
A number sentence.
1. Discover: flying birds
Draw 7 birds on a tree. 3 fly away. How can you show this in your picture?
2. Understand: subtracting with pictures
To subtract with a picture, draw the start number of circles. Cross out the number you take away. Count the circles that are not crossed out.
For 7 − 3: draw 7 circles, cross out 3, count 4 left. 7 − 3 = 4.
3. Explore: cross it out
You need paper and a pencil.
- Draw 8 circles.
- Cross out 5 of them.
- Count the circles that are not crossed out.
- Write the sentence.
Think about it: what did you notice?
8 − 5 = 3.
4. Practise
Guided practice
Question 1. Draw 6 and cross out 2. Left?
4.
Question 2. 9 circles, cross out 9. Left?
0.
Question 3. Which sentence: 5 circles, 1 crossed out?
5 − 1 = 4.
Independent practice
- Draw 7 circles, cross out 4. How many left?
- Draw 10 circles, cross out 6.
- 8 − 2 = __ (draw to check)
- Draw a picture for 9 − 5.
- Write the sentence for 6 circles with 3 crossed out.
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
5. Apply: everyday mathematics
A farmer has 9 hens. 4 are in the house. Draw the hens that are outside and say how many.
Show a sample answer
9 − 4 = 5 hens outside.
6. Common mistake
Fix: The answer is the circles that are not crossed out.
7. Check and master
Answer all questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
8. Key takeaways
- Draw the start number of pictures.
- Cross out the ones taken away.
- Count what is left.
9. Next lesson
Next lesson: Subtraction within 20. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Printable worksheet
- 9 − 4 = __
- 7 − 7 = __
- 10 − 3 = __
- 6 − 5 = __
- Draw 8, cross out 4. Left?
Homework
Draw pictures to show three subtraction problems at home (for example 8 − 3, 9 − 6, 10 − 4). Write the answer beside each.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 9 − 4 = __ | 5 | 2 |
| 7 − 7 = __ | 0 | 2 |
| 10 − 3 = __ | 7 | 2 |
| 6 − 5 = __ | 1 | 2 |
| Draw 8, cross out 4. Left? | 4 | 2 |
| Total | 10 |
Practice answers: Worksheet: 1 5; 2 0; 3 7; 4 1; 5 4.
Quiz answers: 1 A, 2 B, 3 C, 4 A, 5 B, challenge C.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Subtract by crossing out pictures | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Draw a picture for a subtraction | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Find the number left from a picture | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Write the sentence for a picture | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Proposed Courseversity thresholds for this page: Bronze = at least 3 of 5 core questions correct; Silver = all 5; Gold = all 5 plus the challenge. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: Counting the crossed-out circles as the answer. The answer is the circles that are not crossed out.
- Explain another way: use real objects first, then pictures.
- Show a simpler example: Cross out 1 then 2 pictures from a group of 5 and count what is left.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: subtract by crossing out pictures; draw a picture for a subtraction; find the number left from a picture; write the sentence for a picture.
Prerequisite knowledge. Lessons 1 to 3.
Materials. Counters (stones, seeds or bottle tops), paper, pencils, board or chalkboard. Low-resource options: use stones, seeds, sticks, bottle tops or drawings in the sand or on the board instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Gather the counters and draw the example pictures on the board before the lesson.
Suggested duration. 35–45 minutes.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Start with the Discover situation and let learners suggest ideas before you teach.
Explanation (10 min). Teach the Understand section with real objects first, then pictures, then symbols and words.
Guided activity (10 min). You need paper and a pencil. Learners follow the Explore steps in pairs.
Independent activity (10 min). Learners complete the independent practice and the worksheet.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Teacher explanation notes. Use the concrete, pictorial, abstract order: real objects first, then pictures, then symbols and words. Return to real objects whenever a learner needs support.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use real objects and work with a partner; say each step aloud together. Extension. Ask learners to make up their own example and explain it to a partner.
Formative assessment. Listen to learner explanations, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. Counting the crossed-out circles as the answer. The answer is the circles that are not crossed out.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz and worksheet on this page. The 10-mark scheme and all answers are in the answer key above. Re-check every answer and the marking scheme before publication.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Cross out 1 then 2 pictures from a group of 5 and count what is left. Enrichment. Invite learners to find or create three more examples at home or in the classroom and explain them. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which concepts learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
Alignment is pending verification and no external endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points named in the Courseversity standard: Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, Cambridge Primary and the IB Primary Years Programme. Specific standard codes will be added once checked against the official documents.