Subtraction Math Centers!

I am currently working in Decatur for clinical hours and I had the privilege to be able to create Subtraction Math Centers for the first grade classroom I'm in! These ideas can be changed and adapted for any grade level.

Jenga Subtraction!

I put labels on each jenga block and when the kids pull the block out they have to say the subtraction problem and answer correctly to be able to end their turn. If they get it wrong they have to go again and take the risk of knocking down the tower!

Shake & Spill

Each student gets a cup of 10 counters, they shake their cup and spill the counters on the ground. Once the counters are spilt they create a subtraction/addition problem from the red/yellow counters that are in front of them. They record their data on the sheet.

 Popsicle Sticks

I wrote subtraction problem from 0-10 on Popsicle sticks. Then I wrote the number 0-10 on cups. The students lay out all the sticks and pick them up one by one. When they pick a stick up they do the subtraction problem and place the stick in the cup that represents its answer. When all the sticks are in the cups they check their answers by looking at the bottom of the cup to see how many sticks should be in each cup.

 The Number Line Game

For the number line game, I created four number lines, one for each student in the group. Everyone gets their own die and a pawn. They all play together as a group taking turns. Each student starts at 20 on the number line and they roll the die to see how many numbers they have to move backwards (subtract). The first person to 0 is the winner.   

 Independent: Scarecrow Subtraction

For the independent center, students worked on their own cutting and gluing the correct answer to the subtraction problems on the sheet. After they had cut and glue all answers they could color until it was time to rotate to another center.