Subtraction Problems for My 2Nd Grader

Have you tried doing something visually? Like with fruit snacks or crackers. Put 5 in her hand and tell her you are going to take 3 away and have her count how many are left in her hand.
And then do the same thing with the numbers on a piece of paper. Maybe if she sees how it works it will help her work it out in her head.

If she has a better grasp on adding, coach her to take the number subtracting by and count up until she reaches the original number to be subtracted from. Example: 98-72 In this example, you start at 72, and add numbers until you get to 98 (I did it in tens and then whatever was left). So, in your head or on paper, count from 72: 82, 92 (that's twenty), and 6 more to get to 98. 26 is the answer. This may be how most people subtract, but since she doesn't have a problem with addition, it seems this method would work the best for her. I used to dazzle adults at parties with this trick when I was little. Flashcards may help her to keep all the math symbols straight, also. Good luck!

Does she have a favorite snack, like grapes or strawberries? Place several of them on the table and ask her to count them. Then take two or three away. Have her count how many are left. This is one trick it also works great with pretzels and M&M's.
Another way is when you are doing a worksheet is to have her cross out the number needing to be subtracted if there are pictures accompanying the problem. If not anything you can use as counters works well to help solve the problems. It seems to me that she may be more of a visual learner and need to manipulate something to understand the idea. Pens, mini erasers and even crayons work good for helping her see this. Say the problem is 10 - 5, have her lay out 10 crayons, next have her count five out and set them aside, finally have her count the remaining.
If they are larger problems she is working on them you may want to use groups of straws. Group them in fives or tens and have a few single ones also. (cutting the straws in half works great for this) That way if the problem is 50 - 20 she can simply set out five goups of ten and then take two groups of ten away to leave her with thirty or three groups of ten.
If you have any more questions or what like somemore ideas feel free to email me @ ____@____.com
Best of luck,
J.

I used to help my little cousins out with math all the time. I found it to be really easy to use something that they like and know to help them better understand. We used M&M's, fruit loops, army men, marbles, you name it. We would lay them out on a table and read a math problem like 8-5=3. So then we would take 5 away and eat them or just move them so you could see what was left. Some kids are just visual they need to see what they are looking for. Once they visually see what is happening they get it and the magical light turns on.

These are all good ideas. I am a teacher, and one thing I have found that could be the root of the problem is not reading the math problem correctly. Since she adds instead of subtracts, she could just be looking at the problem, and assuming she needs to add without paying attention to the sign in between the numbers. If she seems to get the concept when you use manipulatives, but can't do it with just the numbers, that may be the problem. One solution is to write addition problems like this 4 + 4 = 8 and subraction problems vertically, so she sees the difference, or also you could highlight the addition or subtraction sign in a set of problems so her eyes are drawn toward the operation she is supposed to be performing. Hope this helps!

Try giving her some visual math problems. Like take 4 pieces of paper and ask her what is left if you take away 1. Once she gets that, I have a way to subtract that isn't even in any books that I have read. For instance, take 44 minus 29. Instead of taking 9 from 14, take 9 from 10 and add 4. Subtraction is easier if you do it with base 10's. I hope I made it clear.

Both of my kids have poor math scores. She needs to learn the basics. I use flash cards. That seems to help. Both of the teachers recommended flash cards.

We used to do the visual thing too. You can use anything that has multiple pieces. If she wanting to add, do you know if they recently got done working on adding, so maybe she hasn't switched gears. She's not taking the time to look at the problem and see the minus she just looking at the numbers and doing what she's always done. Have her say out loud the problem: 6-4=2, so "six minus Four etc. Thus, she has to read the problem and key on the minus. you can also use the word "less" sometimes "less" is an easier concept to grasp than minus for some reason. Six less Four. Or "Take away", since that's the action you're doing when you physical do it. you can always begin reintroducing the word minus after she's really begun to grasp it consistently and alternate the words.
My mom was a math teacher and let's just say math was my monster in the closet.

Hi K.!
All these ideas age great! I homeschool and had a daughter that just didn't seem to get it either. Then one day, her grandpa looked at her and said, "You know how to add. Well, subtracting is adding backwards!" That was all it took! ie: 2+2=4 so 4-2 would be 2. That's how he explained it. Worked miracles! Short and sweet. Just another idea to throw out at you....she'll get it. If she starts to get frustrated, take a break. Kids don't learn when they're upset. Gotta love 'em!!!

Just Me!
S.

I'm a school teacher who has taught Pre-K through 8th, including students with disabilities. When presenting any math concept make it relevant, teach it in a story form. There we're 4 Barbies, Littlest Pet Shop animals, candies (use manipulatives she would be playing with anyway), then make the concept real...two of the toys decided to go to...fill in with a preferred activity of her choice...ask her how many would be left? Hmmm, what do you think? Let's see what it would look like on paper, dry erase board, mini chalk board, (you get what I mean)...model the answer 4-2=, you write the answer. Mommy you just modeled a lesson for her, next is guided practice, guide her through another equation, don't forget to use the "toys" (manipulatives), finally you have her try it on her own independent practice. You might want to tell her that the sub. symbol is by itself and when it's time to add you need to add another (vertical) line to make the numbers add instead of subtract. Remember make it relevant to "her" world not yours, forget about writing until you see her comfortable with the concept itself while using the toys to model the equation, and finally assess her knowledge by having her try the equation on her own. You can do it Mom!

Good luck!!!

Teaching in El Monte

Have you tried a tutor? IF not, I'd try it. IF you need help finding a tutor (sp?) let me know. I know of a reasonably priced one. But I'd have to see IF she's accepting any new clients.