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Lesson Plan
Subtraction up to 5 - Taking Away Cubes
Kindergarten (K) - Math

LEARNING TARGET
- Students will be able to connect and disconnect cubes to make sets up to 5.
- Students will be able to understand and perform subtraction up to 5 using connecting cubes.

LEARNING PROGRESSION
PREREQUISITE SKILL
-
EXTENSION SKILL
-
DURATION
- Introduction (5 minutes)
- Instruction (15 minutes)
- Guided Practice (15 minutes)
- Independent Practice (15 minutes)
- Exit Card Formative Assessment (5 minutes)
- Closure (5 minutes)
MATERIALS
- Connecting cubes (at least 50)
- Containers to hold the connecting cubes
- Whiteboard and markers
- Subtraction homework sheet
VOCABULARY
- Connecting cubes
- Subtract
- Minus
- Take away

TEACHING RESOURCES
CENTERS & TASK CARDS

No Centers or Task Cards Available
IEP GOAL WORKBOOKS

No Goals Available
WORKSHEET PACK

No Worksheet Packs Available
5 AND 1 INTERVENTIONS

No Interventions Available
GAMES

ACTIVITIES

No Activities Available

LESSON INSTRUCTION
INTRODUCTION
- Show students the connecting cubes and ask them to identify the different colors.
- Explain that today, they will be learning about subtraction using the connecting cubes as a model.
INSTRUCTION
- Explain the concept of subtraction by taking away cubes from a connecting cube model.
- Demonstrate a subtraction example using the connecting cubes (e.g., 5 - 2). Show students that by taking away 2 cubes from a set of 5, they are left with 3 cubes.
- Repeat with other examples to reinforce understanding.
GUIDED PRACTICE
- Divide students into pairs and provide each pair with a container of connecting cubes.
- Instruct students to work together to create subtraction problems using the connecting cubes (up to 5).
- Circulate around the room to provide support and guidance as needed, and ensure that students are correctly modeling subtraction problems using the connecting cubes.
INDEPENDENT PRACTICE
- Instruct students to work independently to create their own subtraction problems using connecting cubes, up to 5.
- Monitor students' progress and provide support as needed.
HOMEWORK
- Assign students a worksheet with subtraction problems up to 5.
- Encourage students to use objects at home, such as toys or snacks, to model subtraction problems, and discuss their understanding with parents.
EXIT TICKET
- Provide each student with a whiteboard and marker.
- Instruct students to write a subtraction problem and its solution that they modeled using connecting cubes during the lesson.
ASSESSMENT
- Formative assessments will be conducted during the lesson to monitor students' understanding of subtraction and their ability to model subtraction problems using connecting cubes.
- The exit ticket and progress monitoring assessments will be used to determine students' mastery of subtraction using connecting cubes.
CLOSURE
- Review the concept of subtraction and how connecting cubes can help students visualize taking away objects.
- Ask students to share one thing they learned about subtraction during the lesson.
EXTENSION
- Students can practice addition using connecting cubes.
- Students can practice subtraction with larger numbers, such as up to 10, using connecting cubes.
- Students can explore solving word problems involving subtraction using connecting cubes.
INTERVENTION
- For students who struggle with fine motor skills, larger and easier-to-grasp cubes can be used.
- For students who need extra support, a visual aid or diagram can be provided to help them understand the concept of subtraction.
- Provide one-on-one or small group instruction for students who need additional support in understanding subtraction concepts.
VIDEOS
No Video Available

TEACHING TIPS
- Use a variety of cube colors to keep students engaged and maintain their interest in the activity.
- Encourage students to verbalize their thought process while solving subtraction problems to promote deeper understanding.
- Praise students' effort and progress to boost their confidence and reinforce a growth mindset.

STUDENT MISCONCEPTIONS
- Students may think that the order of the numbers in a subtraction problem doesn't matter (e.g., 5-2 = 2-5). Emphasize that order matters in subtraction.
- Students may confuse subtraction with addition. Reinforce the concept of "taking away" when teaching subtraction.
- Students may struggle to connect the physical action of removing cubes with the abstract concept of subtraction. Use consistent language and visuals to bridge this gap.

STANDARD
Common Core Standard:
K.OA.A.1 Part 1 - Represent addition with objects, fingers, mental images, drawings, sounds (e.g., claps), acting out situations, verbal explanations, expressions, or equations.
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