Minus Magic Slides
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🍪
−
=
Minus Magic
Introduction to Subtraction
What is Subtraction?
It means Taking Away!
When we subtract, we start with a group and remove some.
"How many are left?"
🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪
Wait... someone is hungry!
🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪
− 3
The Difference
Comparing Groups
Subtraction also helps us find the difference between two groups.
"How many more are in Group A than Group B?"
Group A
🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎
Group B
🍎🍎
The difference is 3!
Meet the Symbols
−
Minus Sign
Tells us to
take away
=
Equals Sign
Tells us the
total left
Guided Practice
Can you solve this?
🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
6 − 2 =
?
Imagine 2 butterflies fly away...
Snack Attack
The Apple Problem
There were 9 apples on the tree. A happy horse ate 4 of them.
How many apples are left?
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🍎
🍎
🍎
🍎
🍎
X
🍎
X
🍎
X
🍎
X
9 − 4 = 5
Your Turn!
Pick up your Snack Attack Worksheet and let's practice some magic!
Minus Magic Worksheet
Minus Magic
Introduction to Subtraction
NAME:
DATE:
Part 1: Snack Attack!
Cross out the snacks and find how many are left.
1
🍪 🍪 🍪 🍪 🍪
5 − 2 =
2
🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎
7 − 3 =
3
🍕 🍕 🍕 🍕
4 − 4 =
4
🍩 🍩 🍩 🍩 🍩 🍩 🍩 🍩
8 − 5 =
Part 2: Spot the Difference
Compare the groups. How many more are in Group A?
GROUP A 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝
GROUP B 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝
Difference
GROUP A 🐸 🐸 🐸 🐸 🐸 🐸 🐸 🐸 🐸 🐸
GROUP B 🐸 🐸 🐸
Difference
Part 3: Magic Story
"There were 6 magic stars in the sky. Then, 3 stars went behind a cloud. Draw the stars and cross out the ones that went away."
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=
Minus Magic Teacher Guide
Teacher Guide
Minus Magic: Intro to Subtraction
Learning Objectives
- Understand subtraction as "taking away" from a group.
- Understand subtraction as finding the "difference" between two groups.
- Correctly use the minus (−) and equals (=) symbols.
- Solve subtraction problems up to 10 using visual aids.
Key Vocabulary
Subtraction:
Taking away or finding the difference.
Difference:
How many more are in one group than another.
Minus Sign:
The symbol (−) that tells us to subtract.
Equals Sign:
The symbol (=) that shows the result.
Pacing
10 min
Visual Slides & Concept Intro
15 min
Guided Practice (Slide problems)
20 min
Worksheet Completion
5 min
Magic Story Share-out
Materials
- Minus Magic Slides
- Student Worksheet
- Pencils & Erasers
- Optional: Small counters
Instructional Script & Tips
1
Introduction: The Cookie Thief
Use Slide 2 to introduce "Taking Away." Ask students: "If I have 5 cookies and I eat 3, how many do I have in my hands now?" Encourage them to use their fingers to show 5, then "tuck away" 3 fingers.
2
Concept Shift: Finding the Difference
Use Slide 3. This is often harder for kids. Explain it as a race or comparison: "Group A has 5 apples. Group B has 2. How many more does Group A have to lose to be even with Group B?" Use a "matching" visual strategy where they draw lines between pairs.
3
Guided Practice
Work through Slides 5 and 6 together. For the "Snack Attack" slide, call a student up to "X" out the apples on the screen (or use their finger). Emphasize the verbal pattern: "Start with ___, take away ___, left with ___."
4
Independent Work & Drawing
Distribute the worksheet. Circulate and check for students who are counting all items instead of just the ones left. The "Magic Story" section allows for differentiation—advanced students can write their own subtraction story.
Scaffolding
Provide physical counters (buttons, blocks). Have students physically remove the counters to match the worksheet problems before writing the answer.
Extension
Ask students to find "Hidden Subtraction" in the room. "There are 10 chairs, 2 are empty. How many people are sitting down?"
Minus Magic Answer Key
Answer Key
Minus Magic Worksheet
Part 1: Snack Attack!
PROBLEM 1
5 − 2 =
3
PROBLEM 2
7 − 3 =
4
PROBLEM 3
4 − 4 =
0
PROBLEM 4
8 − 5 =
3
Part 2: Spot the Difference
PROBLEM 1: 6 (Group A) − 4 (Group B)
Answer
2
PROBLEM 2: 10 (Group A) − 3 (Group B)
Answer
7
Part 3: Magic Story
Visual Verification:
Student should draw 6 stars and cross out 3.
There should be 3 stars remaining.
6
−
3
=
3
