Substraction -Without Changing

Age

3-6

Materials

1. Unlimited Golden Beads (no more than 9 thousands).
2. Large Number Cards.
3. At least 2 sets of Small Number Cards.
4. At least 2 trays and unit pots fro carrying.
5. An operational mat.
6. A floor mat.

Presentation

1. This is a group activity. Invite the children to lay  out the Large and Small Number cards on the floor mat.
2. Meanwhile, Directress sets up the 'Bank' and lays out the operational mat on a separate table.
3. The Directress sets up the subtraction question, e.g. 3766 - 2654.
4. Child A is asked to bring the large number cards and the corresponding Golden Beads for 3766.
5. These are placed on the operational mat in their places and the cards at the side as in previous exercises.
6. Child B is asked to take away 2654 beads from the Golden Beads laid on the mat.
7. Child B does that and places it on her tray.
8. The corresponding small number cards is fetched an placed on the tray as well.
9. Directress asks, "What is the total left on the operational mat?"
10. Child A then counts the remainder left on the mat by bringing the beads down to the bottom of the mat as she counts them, and the corresponding small number cards is fetched as well.
11. At the end of the operation, tell the children, 'we had 3766 and we subtracted 2654. What we have left is 1112".

Control Of Error

Directress guided.

Purpose

• To give children a concrete experience of subtraction.