K-5 friendly lesson

Try one idea, then jump into the activity.These lessons are designed to feel short, friendly, and easy to follow.

Subtracting 5

🖐️ High five... minus 5! Subtracting 5 is easy when you remember that 5 is exactly half of 10. You can use your hands to help!

Lesson 4

Concept

We have 5 fingers on one hand. This makes subtracting 5 very visual! 🎯 **The "Whole Hand" Trick:** If you start with a number like 8, think of it as a whole hand (5 fingers) plus 3 more fingers. **Example: 8 - 5 = ?** If you take away the whole hand (5), what is left? Just the 3 extra fingers! So, **8 - 5 = 3**. 🎯 **Teen Numbers:** What if you start with a teen number? Use the "Step on 10" strategy! **Example: 12 - 5 = ?** 1. 12 down to 10 is 2 steps. 2. 5 is made of 2 and 3. So take away 3 more from 10. 3. 10 - 3 = 7. So, **12 - 5 = 7**.

Try it

Let's subtract whole hands! **Instructions:** Subtract 5 from the starting number. **Problem 1: 9 - 5 = ?** * Think of 9 as 5 and 4. Take away the 5! * Answer: ___ **Problem 2: 7 - 5 = ?** * Answer: ___ **Problem 3: 10 - 5 = ?** * Answer: ___ **Problem 4: 13 - 5 = ?** * (Use the Step on 10 trick: Take away 3 to get 10, then take 2 more!) * Answer: ___