Max Maths, Year 3, Learn together, Review of subtraction facts and mental subtraction (1)

In a Year 3 mathematics lesson from Max Maths, students revisit and strengthen their understanding of subtraction facts and mental subtraction strategies. The lesson is designed to help children recall subtraction facts with totals not exceeding 18. This foundational skill is crucial as it lays the groundwork for more advanced mathematical concepts. A simple example provided is 9 minus 5, which equals 4. To solve this, students can visualise crossing out 5 blocks from a set of 9 and then counting the remaining blocks to find the answer.

The lesson continues with additional subtraction exercises that encourage mental calculations. For instance, students can practice subtracting 7 from 16 by counting backwards from the larger number, which in this case would involve taking 7 steps backwards from 16 to arrive at the answer of 9. Another example given is the incorrect equation 14 minus 8 equals 16, which should be corrected by counting forwards from the smaller number (8) to reach the correct difference. Through these exercises, the lesson aims to enhance the pupils' ability to quickly and accurately perform subtraction in their heads, a skill that is essential for their ongoing mathematical development.