Grade 1Mathhard
Subtract Across Ten
Subtract Across Ten — Subtraction worksheet for Grade 1.
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What Your Child Will Learn
- Solve subtraction problems where the minuend is between 10-19 and requires regrouping or 'borrowing' from the tens place
- Apply the strategy of breaking apart numbers into tens and ones to successfully subtract across ten (e.g., 13 - 5 = 10 - 5 + 3)
- Demonstrate understanding that subtracting across ten means the answer will be less than 10 by using manipulatives, drawings, or mental math strategies
- Identify and correctly compute subtraction problems where the result requires the student to 'go back through 10' rather than staying within a single ten-frame
How to Use This Worksheet
- Step 1: Before starting the worksheet, review what it means to have a 'teen number' (numbers 11-19). Have your student count out 13 objects (counters, blocks, or fingers) and identify that there is 1 group of 10 and 3 extras. Do this with 2-3 teen numbers so the concept is fresh.
- Step 2: Introduce the first problem on the worksheet using a ten-frame or drawing. Work through the problem together using the strategy of breaking the teen number apart. For example, if the problem is 15 - 7, say: 'I have 15. That's 1 ten and 5 ones. I need to subtract 7. Let me take away 5 ones first (now I'm at 10), then take away 2 more from my ten (now I'm at 8).' Write the steps down.
- Step 3: Guide your student through the next 2-3 problems with decreasing support. Remind them to use their ten-frame, number line, or drawing if they need it. Ask them to explain their thinking out loud for each step.
- Step 4: Have your student work independently on the remaining problems, but stay nearby to observe their strategy. If they struggle, pause and use manipulatives again rather than allowing them to guess randomly.
- Step 5: Review the completed worksheet together, focusing on students' strategies rather than just the answers. Ask: 'How did you break apart your number? Where did you go to 10? How many more did you take away?' This reinforces the mathematical thinking needed to master subtraction across ten.
Tips for Parents & Teachers
Use two ten-frames side by side: one completely filled (10) and one partially filled. When subtracting across ten, students often forget they can break apart the number into tens and ones. Have them physically remove counters from the filled ten-frame first, then the partial one. For example, with 13 - 5, remove 3 from the partial ten-frame, then remove 2 more from the complete ten-frame, leaving 8.
Watch for the common mistake of students trying to subtract directly without recognizing the 'ten' within the larger number. Many students will attempt 13 - 5 by only looking at 3 - 5, which they can't do. Explicitly teach them to say aloud: 'I have 1 ten and 3 ones. I need to subtract 5. I can break the ten into 10 ones. Now I have 13 ones total. Now I can subtract 5.'
Introduce a number line with jumps to make the 'across ten' concept visual. Start at the minuend (like 12), jump back to 10 first, then count back the remaining amount. This two-step jumping process mirrors the mental math strategy and helps students see why subtracting across ten is different from other subtraction.
Practice the same minuend with different subtrahends to help students see the pattern. For example, solve 14 - 5, 14 - 6, and 14 - 7 in sequence. Students will begin to notice that they always need to break apart the teen number and use the ten to help them subtract.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'subtract across ten' considered harder than regular subtraction for first graders?
Subtracting across ten requires students to mentally break apart a number and regroup, which is more abstract than subtraction that stays within a ten-frame (like 8 - 3). With 'across ten' problems like 12 - 5, students can't just count back on their fingers easily—they must recognize the ten within the teen number and use it strategically. This requires stronger number sense and flexible thinking about how numbers are composed.
What manipulatives or tools work best for teaching subtraction across ten?
Ten-frames are the most effective tool because they visually show the structure of teen numbers (1 complete frame of 10, plus extras). Base-ten blocks are also excellent for the same reason. Number lines with two-step jumps help students see the journey from the starting number back through 10. Avoid simple counters without a ten-frame structure, as students may lose track and revert to inefficient counting strategies.
My child can subtract across ten with manipulatives but struggles to do it mentally or on paper. Is this normal?
Yes, this is completely normal for Grade 1. The progression should be: concrete (using objects), representational (drawing), then abstract (mental math or algorithms). Students need lots of practice with manipulatives and drawings before expecting them to solve these problems in their heads. Continue using visual supports on this worksheet and gradually fade them out over several weeks as your student builds confidence and automaticity.
Should I teach my first grader the 'counting back' strategy or the 'breaking apart the ten' strategy first?
The 'breaking apart the ten' strategy (decomposing the teen number) is more efficient and builds stronger number sense for subtraction across ten. While counting back works for small numbers, it becomes unreliable with larger minuends. Teaching the ten-decomposition strategy from the start, using visual models like ten-frames, sets students up for success with multi-digit subtraction later. You can acknowledge counting back as a valid strategy, but emphasize the 'through ten' approach on this worksheet.
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