Snowy Subtraction Clues Worksheet
Snowy Subtraction Clues
Winter Word Problem Detective
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Name:
Date:
1
Clue Words in Action
Certain clue words in a math story tell us it is time to subtract. Read each winter sentence below and notice the highlighted clue word.
less than 🧣
Maya knitted 4 less than 12 scarves for the winter drive.
Clue: Start with 12 and take away 4.
fewer than 🍪
There are 5 fewer cookies on the red plate than the green plate.
Clue: Compare two groups by subtracting.
how much more ❄️
How much more snow fell in January than in December?
Clue: Find the gap between two amounts.
difference 🦌
What is the difference between 18 reindeer bells and 11 sleigh bells?
Clue: "Difference" means the answer when you subtract.
remain 🎁
After wrapping 9 of the 15 gifts, how many gifts remain unwrapped?
Clue: "Remain" asks how many are left over.
decrease ☕
The cocoa stand saw a decrease of 6 cups sold when the wind blew.
Clue: "Decrease" means the number goes down.
Quick Warm-Up: Spot the Clue Word!
Read the winter sentence below. Underline the subtraction clue word, then write it on the line.
There were 20 icicles on the roof, and 7 melted in the sun. How many icicles remain on the roof?
Clue word I underlined:
2
Which Sentence Means Subtract?
Page 2
Directions: Read both sentences in each pair. Circle A or B to show which sentence is asking you to subtract. Then underline the key subtraction word in that sentence!
1 Circle A or B, then underline the clue word.
A Leo hung 8 ornaments on the tree, and his sister hung 6 more. How many ornaments did they hang in all?
B Leo hung 5 fewer ornaments than his sister, who hung 14 ornaments. How many did Leo hang?
2 Circle A or B, then underline the clue word.
A How much more hot cocoa is in the 16-ounce mug than in the 9-ounce mug?
B Sam poured 10 ounces of cocoa and 4 ounces of milk into a pot. What is the total amount?
3 Circle A or B, then underline the clue word.
A The elves packed 12 toy trains and 8 teddy bears into a sleigh. How many toys did they pack altogether?
B There were 18 candy canes in the jar, and 7 were eaten. How many candy canes remain in the jar?
4 Circle A or B, then underline the clue word.
A Nora built a snowman using 6 less than 15 snowballs. How many snowballs did Nora use?
B Nora rolled 9 snowballs in the morning and 7 snowballs after lunch. How many did she roll in total?
2
Which Sentence Means Subtract? (Continued)
Page 3
5 Circle A or B, then underline the clue word.
A The ice rink had 24 skaters, and 11 new skaters joined them. How many skaters are on the ice now?
B When the snowstorm started, the temperature had a decrease of 12 degrees from 30 degrees. What is the new temperature?
6 Circle A or B, then underline the clue word.
A What is the difference between 25 pine cones on the porch and 13 pine cones in the basket?
B What is the sum of 14 snowflakes on the window and 9 snowflakes on the door?
Bonus: Write Your Own Winter Clue!
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Pick one subtraction clue word from the box below. Write your own winter holiday sentence that uses that clue word, and underline it!
less than fewer than how much more difference remain decrease
Frosty Clue Check Exit Ticket
Frosty Clue Check
Exit Ticket • Subtraction Clue Words
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Name:
Date:
Directions: For each number, circle A or B to show which sentence is asking you to subtract. Then underline the key subtraction word in that sentence!
1 Circle A or B, then underline the clue word.
A Maya baked 16 snowflake cookies and gave 9 to her neighbors. How many cookies remain on the tray?
B Maya baked 16 snowflake cookies and 9 sugar cookies. How many cookies did she bake altogether?
2 Circle A or B, then underline the clue word.
A There are 12 mittens in the blue basket and 7 mittens in the red basket. How many mittens are there in all?
B There are 4 fewer mittens in the red basket than in the 12-mitten blue basket. How many are in the red basket?
3 Circle A or B, then underline the clue word.
A What is the difference between 22 inches of snow on Saturday and 14 inches of snow on Sunday?
B What is the total snowfall if 22 inches fell on Saturday and 14 inches fell on Sunday?
Quick Check: Write one subtraction clue word you learned today!
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Winter Clue Hunt Homework
Winter Clue Hunt
Homework • Subtraction Clue Words
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Name:
Date:
Directions: Read both sentences in each pair. Circle A or B to show which sentence is asking you to subtract. Then underline the key subtraction word in that sentence!
Clue Words: less than fewer than how much more difference remain decrease
1 Circle A or B, then underline the clue word.
A There are 11 red sleds and 9 blue sleds at the top of the snowy hill. How many sleds are there in all?
B Eli saw 4 less than 15 sleds racing down the snowy hill. How many sleds did Eli see?
2 Circle A or B, then underline the clue word.
A How much more ribbon is needed for the 24-inch wreath than the 16-inch wreath?
B Ava used 16 inches of red ribbon and 12 inches of gold ribbon combined. How much ribbon did she use?
3 Circle A or B, then underline the clue word.
A The winter bookshop had 35 visitors in the morning, and 12 more visitors arrived after lunch. How many visited?
B The winter bookshop had a decrease of 8 visitors from 35 visitors when the snowstorm began. How many were left?
Winter Clue Hunt (Continued)
Page 2
4 Circle A or B, then underline the clue word.
A Ben put 6 fewer marshmallows in his cocoa than Mia, who put 14 marshmallows in hers. How many did Ben put in?
B Ben put 8 marshmallows in his cocoa, and Mia put 14 in hers. How many marshmallows did they use in total?
5 Circle A or B, then underline the clue word.
A What is the sum of 19 silver bells on the door and 11 gold bells on the mantel?
B What is the difference between 19 silver bells on the door and 11 gold bells on the mantel?
6 Circle A or B, then underline the clue word.
A There were 25 holiday cards on the table, and 10 were mailed today. How many cards remain on the table?
B There were 15 holiday cards on the table and 10 more in a box. How many cards are there altogether?
Home Challenge: Be the Author!
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Write your own winter holiday subtraction sentence using one of the clue words from Page 1, and underline the clue word.
