He has addition totally figured out but he just can't grasp the concept of subtraction, we have tried the abakas (bead counter) marbles, and the poor guy is getting more frustrated every day, any ideas would be greatly appreciated.Thanks!
2007-02-27 12:57:51 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
Use M&M's and take some away.
2007-02-27 15:16:55 · answer #1 · answered by LINDA D. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use money, we all understand that. Easiest for this age is pennies. Start with about 20 pennies and a few small household items or small peices of candy. Let him "buy" a couple of items and then use the problem as "you had .20, you bought .13 worth of candy, 20 "take away" 13 is.....Put it all back and do another "problem"
Subtract is a big "non visual" word, try saying 'take away' and see if that clears it up.
2007-02-27 13:05:58 · answer #2 · answered by tlcats 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Use physical stuff and remove them as subtracting. EG have 5 ballpens ( any other material for that matter) and say subtract 2. Then physically remove 2 ball pens and ask him to count the remaining. This should enable him realise that subtracting means "to take away". for staters this should work
2007-02-27 13:09:29 · answer #3 · answered by emafaruk 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obviously he has been raised Republican..... Can't grasp the whole deficit concept...
As someone earlier answered, have him Add in reverse. One exercise that may seem strange is to have him practice counting backwards. He has probably spent a lot of time counting forwards and 5 plus 6 ( five plus six more numbers, 6,7,8,9,10,11 is easy) but 11 minus five numbers is awkward.
Start at a high number and count down. He can add because he has memorized his numbers going forward but in his mind it is completely jumbled going the other direction.
2007-02-27 13:19:02 · answer #4 · answered by EnormusJ69 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Give him items, like puzzle pieces. Put out, like 5. Then ask," If I have 5 pieces, and take away 3, how many will I have?" then let him take away the 3 pieces and see that there are 2 left. Hopefully, this will help him.
2007-02-27 13:02:04 · answer #5 · answered by sydney 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bake cookies with him. Then tell him you want to share them with others (family, his schoolmates, etc?) and then tell him how many cookies you have total (or set a number he can handle). Ask him to "take away" two (or however many you decide) for each person (or group) one person (group) at a time. As the pile gets smaller, the other "pile" gets larger and back and forth you go!
2007-02-27 13:12:28 · answer #6 · answered by The Knowing Woman (name defined) 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have 5 cookies take away 2 by eatting them = 3 cookies left: )
2007-02-27 13:02:05 · answer #7 · answered by Earth to Mars 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had a similar problem when i was in first grade. what i did was for example: 9-7=?, i would ask myself, 7 plus what gives me 9, and i would answer 2. In this way, i think he will learn subtraction well.
2007-02-27 13:02:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try usisng M&Ms. put out six M&Ms and ask him to subtract 2. He can eat them to make sure they are gone. Then count how many are left.
2007-02-27 13:02:39 · answer #9 · answered by old lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Use M&M"s and let him subtract with them. If he has 4 and "eats" two how many left typoe of thing.
2007-02-27 13:01:32 · answer #10 · answered by elaeblue 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋