Addition and subtraction within 10 - Subtraction using the symbol - Planning

In the fourth week of the Autumn term, Year 1 students are introduced to the subtraction symbol as part of their learning in addition and subtraction. The lesson plan includes a variety of resources such as differentiated worksheets, teaching slides, part-whole models, cubes, and counters to support the children's understanding. The key vocabulary for the lesson includes terms like 'add', 'subtract', 'number bonds', 'counting on', and 'number sentence'. The lesson begins with a starter activity where children complete 'fluent in four' questions to recap their previous knowledge. The class then moves onto a storytelling approach, where children listen to a subtraction story and use drawings and calculations to determine the answer. For example, they may hear about buying fairy cakes and giving some away, and then work out how many are left.

The lesson continues with children using concrete resources to represent subtraction, reinforcing the concept through practical examples. They are reminded of the mathematical symbols they already know and are introduced to the subtraction symbol, represented by a minus or 'take away'. Partner work encourages discussion and the use of full sentences to explain their thinking. Through a series of activities, including crossing out images and completing part-whole models, children develop a deeper understanding of subtraction as taking away a part from the whole. Reasoning and problem-solving tasks further challenge the students to establish rules and understand the structure of number sentences. The lesson concludes with a reflection on what they have learned, the skills used, and what they found challenging, ensuring they remember the key concepts moving forward. Differentiated activities cater to varying levels of ability, with some children using number tracks and concrete resources, while others work on more complex tasks such as missing parts on a number line or writing number sentences in words.