Subtraction Word Problems

Give eight stories and fifteen minutes. Ask your child to underline the question, say whether something is going away or two amounts are being compared, then write the sentence in the box. The comparison stories (how many more does one child have) are the ones that trip students, so check those first with the answer key. Talk through any miss before redoing the problem, and have the child read the story aloud once more.

A take-away story is the easiest to read as subtraction because the verb tells you. A comparison story has no action, only two quantities and a gap, so many students add. Seeing all three kinds mixed builds the habit of reading the question before choosing the operation. Numbers to 100 and 1,000 bring in borrowing, so slow, careful setup matters more as the numbers grow. Mixed addition and subtraction stories are the next page.

To 20 suits first grade, To 100 second, and To 1,000 third and up. If comparison stories keep failing, stay on the lower setting and use drawn bars or counters before writing the sentence. Eight problems leaves a work block under each, ten is tight. Six works for a child who tires of reading. Use New version for repeat practice.

Why are comparison stories mixed in with take-away?

How many more is subtraction too, and children who only see take-away stories add when a comparison shows up. Seeing the kinds together builds the habit of reading the question.

How do I help with a 'how many more' story?

Draw two bars, one longer than the other, and ask what the gap is. Then write the sentence big number minus small number. Counters laid in two rows work as well.

Is it a problem if my child counts up instead of subtracting?

Not at all. Counting up from the smaller to the larger number is valid subtraction. Ask them to write the matching subtraction sentence so the connection is clear.