Subtracting Multiples of 10

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My first graders have been hard at work this week working on this Common Core Standard

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.NBT.C.6
Subtract multiples of 10 in the range 10-90 from multiples of 10 in the range 10-90 (positive or zero differences), using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction; relate the strategy to a written method and explain the reasoning used.

When working on this idea of subtracting multiples of 10, I am always struck by how easy it is for some kids and how much other kids struggle with this concept.  Many of my students see doing a problem like 90 -50 as a natural extension of doing a problem like 9 - 5, but others need more support.  Here are some ways we address this standard.

I start out at a very concrete stage by using my magnetic base 10 pieces on the board and having kids solve a few problems as a class.  This usually takes place as a quick warm up and it gets kids thinking about the big ideas behind the concept.  I might start with a problem like 70 - 20 and put 70 up on the board with base 10 pieces.  I then might ask a few kids for an answer and some explanation about how they knew the answer.  It is a great time to start making connections for kids who are not making them for themselves about how 70 - 20 is like 7 tens - 2 tens and is like 7 - 2.

I also do a whole group lesson where each kid has access to unifix cubes that have been snapped into groups of ten.  We do more problems whole group and the kids use the concrete model of the unifix cubes to act out the problems.  This helps more kids see the connection between the fact level problem and the idea of subtracting groups of 10.

A student uses unifix cubes to show 90 - 40

After this, I introduce a game that will be played during math stations the following week.  It is a math puzzle game and is super engaging to students.  I also really like how it has a visual model so support kids who still need it.  As they play it throughout the week, I notice less and less students needing the visual model, but at the beginning of the week, many kids use it.

A student uses her hand to check her answer to 80 - 30.  The puzzles are self-checking!  If a student gets the wrong answer, the puzzle will not fit together.  

A pair of students finishes up the subtracting multiples of 10 puzzles.  

After 4 days of having this included in math stations, I gave the quick formative assessment that comes with the puzzles.

This formative assessment is a great way to asses students current understanding and see who needs more instruction or intervention.  It is part of the grade 1 number puzzle bundle. 

Based on the results of this formative assessment, I had 3 kids who needed more instruction.  I borrowed an idea from my blogging buddy Linda over at Primary Inspiration and used legos to represent base 10 pieces.  While the other kids were busy with math stations, I pulled these three kids to the back table and we worked on more problems and explicitly tried to make the connection between what they already knew and what they were learning now.

I will check in with these 3 kids again next week but I think they got it now!

How do you address subtracting multiples of 10 with your students?  Please respond in the comments below!