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L.1 Subtraction up to 5 with pictures

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Understanding Subtraction up to 5

Subtraction means taking away some objects from a group and finding out how many are left. When subtracting numbers up to 5, we use small groups of pears to help visualize the process.

Real-Life Subtraction:
  • You have 4 pears and eat 1. You now have 3 pears left.
  • There are 5 pears in a basket. If 2 are taken away, 3 pears remain.
  • If you start with 3 pears and give 2 to a friend, you have 1 pear left.
Teacher Tip

Use actual pears or pictures of pears to make subtraction concrete. Encourage students to physically remove items as they subtract.

Using Pear Images to Visualize Subtraction

Visual aids, like pictures of pears, help children see which pears are taken away and which remain. This strengthens their understanding of subtraction.

Visual Subtraction Examples:
  • Start with 5 pears. Cross out 2 pears. Count the remaining 3 pears.
  • Show 3 pears. Cross out 1 pear. The 2 pears left are the answer.
  • Display 4 pears. Remove 4 pears. There are 0 pears left.
Visual Strategy

Encourage students to point to each pear they subtract and then count the leftover pears out loud.

Counting Back to Subtract

Counting back means starting at the first number and counting backwards to subtract. This helps students see subtraction as "taking away" steps.

Counting Back Practice:
  • For 4 - 1, start at 4 and count back 1: 3.
  • For 5 - 2, start at 5 and count back 2: 3.
  • For 3 - 3, start at 3 and count back 3: 0.
Instructional Tip

Use number lines or fingers to help students practice counting backward as they subtract.

Subtraction Sentences with Pears

Writing subtraction sentences helps students connect visual and verbal subtraction. They learn to use numbers and symbols to represent what they subtract.

Subtraction Sentences:
  • If you have 3 pears and take away 1, write: 3 - 1 = 2
  • If you start with 5 pears and remove 4, write: 5 - 4 = 1
  • Take 2 pears away from 2 pears: 2 - 2 = 0
Math Language

Model saying subtraction sentences aloud, such as “Three minus one equals two” to develop math vocabulary.

Using Objects to Practice Subtraction

Hands-on practice with objects like toy pears helps students experience subtraction as taking away and counting what remains.

Hands-On Activities:
  • Place 5 toy pears on the table and remove 3. Count the 2 pears left.
  • Give students 4 pear-shaped counters. Have them remove 2 and count what’s left.
  • Use pear stickers on a board. Erase some to show subtraction visually.
Helpful Tip

Let students physically remove objects themselves. This active involvement improves understanding.

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