Subtraction language

The first thing I tried for increasing vocabulary was looking at word problems and decoding/ unpacking the language of subtraction problems.

In the lesson, I used two simple word problems to unpack the language with learners. We worked through understanding what a given problem might look like physically by trying to comprehend the sentences.

For the follow up task (click here to view), I used a basic worksheet style task with mixed addition and subtraction problems. Learners had to cut and paste word problems into either the Addition table, or the Subtraction table depending on what they thought the problem was. Learners were then encouraged to solve the problems, but this was not set as a compulsory task because I wanted them to focus on understanding the problem rather than rushing in to try and solve it.