Mathematics 

Subtraction

Subtraction is apart of our everyday lives and therefore an important concept to develop early. We need to understand how to subtract in order to engage with society effectively as we use subtraction when dealing with money, cooking, travel and time, among countless other daily experiences. 

Learning occurs in three stages: Concrete Stage, Representational or Pictorial Stage, and Abstract Stage.  A student progresses through the stages of learning at their own pace and must master the previous stages, prior to understanding concepts abstractly.

1.     Concrete – modeling with materials

Use a variety of materials that students can manipulate to solve, act out and model the operation needed to solve the problem. Below we see Kindy using counters to solve the subtraction problem.

2.     Pictorial – representing with pictures 

Provide representations of objects in the form of pictures, drawings and diagrams to help solve the problems. This strategy begins the process of moving away from concrete materials and closer to symbolic representation. Below you can see that Stage 1 are now all about making pictures to help solve subtraction problems.

3.     Abstract – representing with symbols 

Use symbols (especially numeric expressions and number sentences) to illustrate the operation. Whereas in Stage 2 and Stage 3 we move more into using number symbols to represent the problem. The students have come from a strong background and have he building blocks that they don't no longer require the pictures or the concrete materials as regularly. They do still use these however if they choose. Below you can see the progression that Stage 2 have made.