Subtraction with regrouping

[Tonya.Fox]

A classroom teacher mention to me that one of the intervention students is having trouble with doing subtraction with regrouping. The student is in the second grade.

Do I work on teaching the algorithim that they usually see where the numbers are stacked on top of one another, or should I focus on the quanity of the number and use other strategies? I guess I am asking, at what point if any, do you move on to the procedure of subtraction? I am just not entirely sure where to start with teaching subtraction with regrouping.

Thanks!
Tonya Fox
MIT
Owsley County Elementary

[Mary Gagne]

I think in the standards that teaching the algorithm does not occur until third grade. I would focus on teaching through other methods.

[Tonya.Fox]

Thank you! I think that may be best as well. Does anyone have any games for subtraction that they really like?

[jbingham]

I use the popsicle sticks when I am working on subtraction. The students are able to take them apart and regroup if necessary. I write the problem out and have them represent the numbers with the sticks, if needed. They are able to manipulate the sticks however needed to solve the problem.

[wendie.edmonds]

The Delivery games on the KNP Guide are very good for the teaching of subtraction with regrouping and can help you to transition from bundles ands sticks to the algorithum.