We identified that subtraction was a weakness across the group - showing that learners did not yet identify that the number being subtracted FROM was the only number that the learners had to work with. Students were flipping numbers to suit them ie 2-9 in the ones column became 9-2.
We worked through 2 digit subtraction with place value blocks and then moved to 3 digit subtraction.
This student in the video was very apprehensive about subtraction "didn't like it", "was too hard" until we broke the process down with the place value blocks.
Along with the other learners, she stated that she could actually 'see' the number and understood that the number being subtracted was inside that number.
Here she is explaining her process with the place value blocks. The other student had to listen and follow along to write the process down in mathematical equation.
We have continued to work with place value blocks when needed - but these learners now identify the WHY of borrowing and renaming. Over the past 2 weeks we have had lots of practice and discussion with each learner sharing by way of giving feedback and justifications to each other.
They are now comfortably working with 3 digit subtraction - number equations and word problems. Their working out has become more comprehensive and they are more particular about showing their working, lining up the place value columns and 'rereading for sense'. Over our sessions those learners who were working on other strategies have worked out that they were not the most efficient as they were lagging in getting answers down before we moved on to next questions. Feedback from others in the group has been invaluable to their learning as well.
Here is a video of a learner showing his subtraction process this week:
We also have spoken about checking our work to make sure we have worked correctly.
Students are keen to give evidence so that they can be confirmed as 'pink' (mastered).


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