Kindergarten · Math · week 24

Subtracting within 10 using pictures

Solve subtraction problems within 10 by drawing a group and crossing out the amount being taken away.

Subtracting with pictures works the same way as adding, but backward. Draw the whole group first. Then cross out the ones you are taking away. Count what is not crossed out.

Crossing out is like erasing with an X. It shows exactly what left, and what stayed.

📋 For the teacher
Teach it (10–15 min):
  • Draw the whole group first, before crossing anything out. Order matters here.
  • Use a big, clear X so it is obvious which pictures are gone.
  • Have your child count only the leftover, un-crossed pictures for the answer.
  • Go back to real objects if pictures feel confusing. Physically removing objects is fine too.
Talk about it:
  • What do you draw first when subtracting with pictures?
  • What do you count for your answer, the crossed out ones or the leftover ones?
  • Can you solve 10 - 3 with a picture?

Mastery looks like: They solve subtraction problems within 10 by drawing a group, crossing out the correct amount, and counting what remains.

Common stumbles: Counting the crossed-out pictures instead of the leftover ones; drawing the wrong starting amount.

See it visually

Interactive, spoken-aloud tools that show this idea in motion.

SubtractionTake away and count back, step by step.try →
Homework for this lessonType it, write it with a stylus, or print it for pencil & paper.open →
Records attendance + 15 min of Math for this learner.
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