−

Counting Back: A Strategy for Subtraction

Back

Grade 1 Math | Lesson 1

Grade 1Common Core 1.OA.C.510 minutes

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the "counting back" strategy for subtraction
  • Practice subtracting single-digit numbers using mental math
  • Subtract numbers from 20 and below

Introduction to Counting Back

When we subtract numbers, we are taking away from a group to find what's left. One way to subtract is to use the counting back strategy. This means we start with the larger number and count backwards by the smaller number.

Example: 10 - 3

Start with 10, then count back 3: 9, 8, 7

So 10 - 3 = 7

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Start at 10, then count back: 9, 8, 7