Number Hop Practice Page
Subtraction Strategy Trail
Should You Count Back or Count Up?
Name:
Date:
🔙
COUNT BACK: Best when subtracting a small number (like −2, −3, −4). Start at the big number and hop backward!
🔜
COUNT UP: Best when the numbers are close together (like 18 − 15). Start at the smaller number and hop up to find the difference!
1
Decide, Hop, and Solve
Check your strategy choice, show your hops, and write the difference.
17 − 3 =
Fastest way?
Count Back Count Up
13 14 15 16 17 18
18 − 15 =
Fastest way?
Count Back Count Up
14 15 16 17 18 19
19 − 4 =
Fastest way?
Count Back Count Up
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
16 − 13 =
Fastest way?
Count Back Count Up
12 13 14 15 16 17
2
Quick Strategy Decision
Circle the faster strategy, then solve!
15 − 2 =
Best strategy?
Count Back Count Up
20 − 18 =
Best strategy?
Count Back Count Up
18 − 3 =
Best strategy?
Count Back Count Up
14 − 11 =
Best strategy?
Count Back Count Up
3
Story Problem Decisions
🥕 Rabbit Garden
[ ] Count Back [ ] Count Up
Barnaby had 16 baby carrots in his sack. He shared 3 carrots with his brother. How many carrots does Barnaby have left?
Equation:
16 − 3 =
🦉 Bird Watch
[ ] Count Back [ ] Count Up
Hazel counted 17 birds in the tall pine tree and 14 birds in the apple tree. How many more birds were in the pine tree?
Equation:
17 − 14 =
Explain Your Thinking
To solve 19 − 17, would you count back or count up? Why?
Strategy Master Check:
🎯 I know when to count back or up 🌱 Practicing
Score: _____ / 10
