Teaching students the WHY before the PROCEDURE when learning a new math concept is essential. I am a firm believer that teachers owe it to their students to teach them multiple ways to solve math problems. We all learn concepts in different ways and math is no different. We are now into our subtraction with regrouping unit this week. This is a skill that can be taught using a variety of strategies. My favorite strategies are provided through the use of video tutorials below. Be sure to grab the freebie and links to subtraction with regrouping resources!
At the beginning of our subtraction with regrouping, we ALWAYS start with manipulatives. Personally, I prefer the unifix cubes over the base ten blocks because the unifix cubes can be pulled apart when there is a need to regroup. Take a look at how I use unifix cubes to teach subtraction with regrouping.
Don’t forget to grab your FREE Place Value Mat that you saw used in the video tutorial above. A quick tip that my students find helpful is to have your students highlight the ones place. This will draw their eyes to the part of the problem that needs to be solved first.
I have included four more strategies that I use to teach my students subtraction with regrouping. You just never know what is going to “stick” with them!
Stretch It Out Method
Open Number Lines
Jump Method
Money Method
If you are looking for some subtraction with regrouping resources to help your students practice this skill, check out the resources below.
Download Math Resources HERE
Check out these posts for more math tips & tricks:
- Ideas for Teaching Addition & Subtraction Within 1,000
- How to Use Worksheets to Support Mastery of 3-Digit Subtraction With Regrouping
Don’t forget to download the Subtraction Anchor Chart . This student anchor chart template was created for your students to follow along with the conversations when learning about subtraction vocabulary words. As you teach each word and its meaning, your students will be drawing their representation of the word on their paper.
Lucky to Learn Math Units on Subtraction
Subtraction with regrouping is a skill that will take time and practice to develop. Using our Lucky to Learn Math Curriculum as a guide, students can work collaboratively and independently to succeed! Check out the Build a Playground activity in unit 3.16. Students will let their imaginations run wild as they think up their dream playground, and work to use subtraction with regrouping strategies to stay on budget!
Download Subtraction Anchor Chart HERE
These are great strategies! I didn't see the link for the 1st video?
Thank you so very much for these strategies!! We have been working on subtraction for awhile now, and I had several strugglers. I hope one of these will make sense to them. We have to use Singapore Math, and it is awful! Our 2nd chapter is 3 digit addition with regrouping and chapter 3 is 3 digit subtraction with regrouping. Needless to say, I don't follow the book. Thank you for these!!
Do you have any suggestions for using QR codes for teachers who don't have ipads or tablets in the classroom???
You are my math mentor! Love your strategies for teaching Math!
These strategies are fantastic!!! I am so glad that I saw this post and took the time to watch it!! It was so nice to learn about each strategy and to see it being done!! I am literally so looking forward to going into school tomorrow to begin teaching these strategies!! We are on this topic right now in my classroom and every year it is a tough one and I feel for those students who struggle… I'm so excited to have these strategies to show them!! I think they will really be beneficial! Thank you so much!!!
I use "bigger bottom,better borrow" too! It's not only fun to say, but the kids giggle at the word bottom…which helps them remember the saying! Thanks for sharing your strategies Angie!
Good idea and this article tell us how to learning math new concepts with easy and how to work practical thanks for sharing
Angie, thanks so much for sharing!! How do I challenge my highs and help my lows? would LOVE your help and suggestions!
I loved these strategies and your positive energy. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you so much. I love having multiple strategies in my tool box because not all children learn in the same way.
I loved your post about addition w/regrouping
and used it successfully with struggling students(on IEPs), So i am about to venture into subtracting so I thought Id come back to you. I know you can help.
Thanks soo much!
I am working through the five methods. I really like the money method. It has really worked well.
This was a huge help! I set up learning stations with each strategy for children to practice. They enjoyed it and were starting to grasp the concepts. I wish you’d been my second grade teacher!
Thank you so much for showing a video for each strategy! This helped me so much with understanding better of how to teach my students. I love how this gives my class a variety of ways they can solve for the answer. THANK YOU
THANK YOU ☺️ I am new to 2nd grade and have been trying to teach subtraction with regrouping. I have been at my wits end with blank faces staring at me! I am going to try your suggestions this week! I just love you!!!
Your addition with regrouping and subtraction with regrouping pages have been super helpful!! Thank you!!