Subtraction Worksheets
Subtraction worksheets can be a useful way for students to practice necessary skills.
By Christina Lee
While worksheets might sometimes get a bad rap, they are useful ways to have students practice necessary skills. Subtraction worksheets can help students who are developing their subtraction skills do the practice that is needed to be proficient at this skill.
Students should be provided many opportunities to practice subtraction problems both in timed and untimed situations. For some students, the challenge of a time constraint will motivate them to work through a larger set of subtraction problems. On the other hand, practice with subtraction problems that are untimed is helpful as well so that students have the time to carefully look over their work and be thoughtful about how they arrive at their answers.
Problem solving worksheets on subtraction are helpful because students need to be reflective about the practical implications of the use of subtraction in everyday life. Subtraction is used on a daily basis when counting change, deciding how many students in the class want to go to the playground, and more. Worksheets that have problem solving items will have students practice beyond the rote act of subtraction, and students will be able to think analytically about the everyday purpose of subtraction.
When teaching two digit subtraction with regrouping, I give students a problem such as 35 -29 = ? on the board. I model the problem using base 10 blocks. Students understand that nine cannot be taken away from five, thus regrouping must take place to solve the problem. By borrowing a ten from the tens column, the five becomes 15 and now 15 - 9 = 6. Since a tens block was borrowed, the digit three becomes a two, and 2 - 2 = 0. The answer to 35 - 29 = 6. After modeling the problem with manipulatives, students can use the manipulatives to solve problems with a worksheet.
Subtraction worksheets are very helpful tools to use with students for practice and problem solving with subtraction. It is important to utilize worksheets with teacher guidance and support. Also, after modeling problems for students, the use of worksheets, if needed with manipulatives, will provide students with the practice necessary to be proficient and thorough.
Subtraction Worksheets:
This activity has students write and solve subtraction problems by problem solving. There are five worksheets with an answer key provided.
Mixed Two Digit Subtraction with Borrowing
This worksheet has a variety of subtraction problems, including two digit subtraction problems.
Students solve subtraction word problems by determining the correct change. Students are encouraged to show their work in the space provided.
This worksheet has students subtract three digit numbers with regrouping.
Students practice their subtraction skills by completing this timed activity in five minutes or less.