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Making ‘Difference’ Visible: A Hands-On Way to Teach Subtraction

Making ‘Difference’ Visible in Subtraction


When teaching subtraction, helping students see the difference makes all the difference!

Counting Tracks Cards showing subtraction difference between 8 and 3

Hands-on math activity using cubes and Counting Tracks Cards to compare numbers

Hands-on math activity using cubes and Counting Tracks Cards to compare numbers

 
Here’s a quick, hands-on way to explore subtraction as comparing—not just “taking away.”

1️⃣ Start with cubes:

Give students two connecting-tower stacks, say 8 cubes and 3 cubes. Line them up side by side and ask, “How many more does one have than the other?” The visible height difference—5 cubes—shows the “difference.”

2️⃣ Move to Math Kit Bundle 2 Counting Tracks Cards:

Now, replace cubes with the Counting Tracks Cards. Place two cards (for example, 8 and 3) side by side or on top of one another for an instant visual comparison. The dots and numerals make it easy for students to connect quantity and symbol—no counting needed!

3️⃣ Record the learning:

Invite students to draw what they see in their math journals: two number tracks, the difference space, and the subtraction equation (8 - 3 = 5). This helps solidify the connection between models, symbols, and meaning.


Try it tomorrow—quick, clear, and effective for visual learners!
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