Teddy Bear Subtraction Activity and (FREE) Worksheet

I feel like it has been forever since I have posted, but school has been so busy I just had to give up something.  So I have neglected blogging.  But, I am back now and I have a new activity (for me, at least) and FREE (for you) worksheet to go along with it.  We have focused on addition for the first 6 weeks of school and have moved on to subtraction and I have really tried to find some more concrete and FUN activities to use with my firsties.  I have tons of teddy bear counters so I thought I would look for an activity to do using them, and I found one in a book called Math Step-by-Step Centers (Grades K-1) published by The Mailbox.  You can check it out here.

You will need the following materials (per pair or small group):

*a paper bag labeled with the numbers 6-12

*12 teddy bear counters

*1 dice

*a copy of the Teddy Bear Subtraction worksheet

(click here to download the packet)

The worksheet includes the list of materials needed, directions and a 2-page worksheet.

Basically, the activity works like this.  

1.  Students will choose a number written on the paper bag and write it in the first space on the worksheet, then display that number of teddy bears.  

2.  Next, they will roll the dice, write that number in the 2nd space, and take away that amount of teddy bears and return them to the paper bag.  

3.  Last, students will count and write down how many teddy bears are left.  

That's it.  Easy, squeezy, pumpkin peezy.  Plus, everyone has teddy bear counters, dice and paper bags, right?  So you don't have to buy any special materials to do this activity.  And, it makes a great center activity after the students have practiced a few times. 

I hope you can use this activity with your students.

Happy teaching!

Jeannie