Mrs.

Alexander Kindergarten
Lesson Plan Thursday, January 30, 2014

Math Subtraction
TEKS: (K.4) Number, operation, and quantitative reasoning. The student models addition (joining) and
subtraction (separating). The student is expected to model and create addition and subtraction problems in
real situations with concrete objects.
OBJECTIVE: Given concrete objects and a realistic situation, SW model and create subtraction problems.
INTRO: TW read, Who Took the Cookie from the Cookie Jar? With students sitting on the carpet TW say to
the Ss, So, this story makes me think of time when I had a friend come to visit me at my house and she asked
for some cookies. I remembered I had 8 cookies in my cookie jar. My friend took 3 cookies and I am not sure
how many cookies are left? I know its not 8 anymore. Do you think you can help me find out how many are
left?
If you can help me figure out how many are left, then you can help me do subtraction.
So, do you remember how many I started with? Wait for student responses. I started with 8. So 8 is the
whole. Do you remember how many I gave to my friend? Wait for student responses. I gave her 3 cookies.
So 3 is the part. Now, I need to take the part away from the whole.
Model: Using magnetic easel, paper cookies & cookie jar drawn on white board, count all 8 cookies with the
students. Remind them that this is your whole. Ask, how many did I give away again? What was the part that
I need to take away from the whole? Count 3 out loud with the students and remove them as I count. Now
I have taken the part away from the whole. My answer is however many are left. Count the 5 remaining
cookies with the students. Ask, So how many do I have left after I remove 3 from my original 8? Wait for
student responses. I have 5 left! Think you can do this?
GUIDED PRACTICE: Hand out concrete objects & work mats for Ss to use. TW call on a S to come up &
choose a Pete the Cat story problem from the bag. T or SW read problem to class. The SW use their concrete
objects to solve the problem. TW ask class for answer. TW prompt Ss to explain their problem solving steps.
How did they figure out the answer? Repeat with a few more problems to work as a class.
INDEPENDENT PRACTICE: SW will be given a cookie jar mat, cookies, and a die. SW have the same
prompt: Pete the Cat has 6 cookies in the cookie jar. ______ were taken away. How many cookies
does he have left? ________________
Each SW take turns rolling a die to determine how many cookies are taken away. If time permits, SW glue
work mat and story problem in their math notebook. If not, SW complete for morning work tomorrow.
CONCLUSION: Ask Ss what subtraction is and how they will know whether to add or subtract when they
look at a problem. Discuss how subtraction helps them in their daily lives.