Subtraction Part 1: Representations
April 21, 2020In a recent blog post I talked about the importance of starting from where things make sense. This may be one of the best ways to help your kids with math at home. If you don’t know what to do, take a step back. Then take another. Keep going back until things make sense. Then follow the bread crumbs back up till you’ve figured out the new thing.
That’s all good in theory. But what’s missing is the details. (And there are a lot of details in math!) So I’m going to try to touch on some of the foundational visuals and representations that ground the meaning of mathematical symbols and operations at an elementary level.
When it comes to arithmetic, there are always two parts: understanding the operation, and understanding how it works in base 10. Today, I want to do just part 1 of that, as it pertains to subtraction. I’ll follow up with the base 10 connection soon.
As always, I hope this helps!
This is so incredibly helpful! I like how you present things as a progression and with different representations to help solidify understanding. Please make more videos!!!
Thank you for focusing on using the unifix cubes instead of base ten blocks as a starting point . It really solidifies the learners building numbers with 10 in mind.
Can’t wait for more of your videos!
The videos are very targeted and succinct—great for parents and teachers. Yes, please continue making these types of videos. Thank you.
Wondering if a way to have in Spanish and close caption?
Thank you!
I’d love to have both close captioning and other languages. I’ve even got subtitles produced for videos before by a company called Rev, but—and I hate to say this—I haven’t been able to figure out how to place the subtitles without it being a hugely time-consuming process. I know there’s a simple, quick way to do it. I just don’t actually know how to make it happen. If anyone can let me know, or can help me get subtitles, that would be fantastic.
Brilliant! Simple to complex and appreciate how you have created illustrations that even younger students can follow! Thank you.