Intermediate
40 mins
Teacher/Student led
+65 XP
Teacher-led from the board. Pupils do not need a device, but can follow on one.

Subtraction Stories: Did Some Leave, or Are We Comparing?

Students examine subtraction stories to determine if they describe items leaving a set or compare two different amounts. Using a number line they visualise the jumps and write matching subtraction sentences for both types of story.

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    Number line jumps
    Number line jumps

    1 - Getting Started ~3 mins

    Illustration for Getting StartedTwo stories, same numbers:

    Story A: 9 swallows sat on the wire and 4 flew away.

    Story B: Niamh has 9 stickers. Cian has 4. How many more has Niamh?

    Hands up: same kind of story, or two different kinds?

    2 - Watch and Notice ~8 mins

    Three stories. Each one already has jumps drawn on a number line.

    Take-away means some leave or are used up.

    Difference means we compare two amounts: how many more, or how far apart.

    Look at where the jumps start and where they land. For each story, decide: did some leave, or are we comparing two amounts?

    Same numbers can tell two different stories, and both write with −.

    3 - Try It Together ~10 mins

    Key point

    Today we explore stories on the number line. For each story, first say: did some leave (take-away), or are we comparing (difference)? Then show the jumps on the number line.

    We will try:

    • 8 apples on a plate and 3 eaten
    • 10 points and 7 points, how many more?
    • 15 birds on the wire and 6 flew off

    Story jumps within 20

    4 - Write the Sentence in Your Copy ~3 mins

    COPYBOOK MOMENT

    Look at the board: 9 swallows sat on the wire and 4 flew away.

    The matching sentence looks like this: 9 − 4 = 5.

    In your maths copy, write that full sentence with − and =.

    5 - Class Challenge ~10 mins

    Today we work through these story sentences together:

    • 10 − 4: ten grapes, four eaten
    • 12 − 9: our team has 12, visitors have 9, how many more?
    • 16 − 7: sixteen beanbags, seven out to the yard
    Key point

    For each one, say take-away or difference first, then show the jumps and check.

    Story take-aways and differences

    Pupil practice
    Module 3 · Subtraction Within 20: Take Away and Difference Number
    Lesson 37 · Subtraction Stories: Did Some Leave, or Are We Comparing?
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