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Phase 4: Subtraction

Lessons 66-85 · Phase 4 introduces subtraction as 'taking away' and builds the connection between addition and subtraction.

Concepts Introduced

SymbolLessonTypeExample
−66symbolminus, take away
−166operation5 − 1 = 4
−270operation7 − 2 = 5
−374operation8 − 3 = 5
fact families78concept3+4=7, 4+3=7, 7−3=4, 7−4=3
−080operation5 − 0 = 5

Skills

  • Subtracting 1, 2, and 3 from numbers to 10
  • Understanding subtraction as 'taking away'
  • Connecting subtraction to addition (fact families)
  • Subtracting zero
  • Solving subtraction equations with missing numbers

Tips for Teachers

Teach subtraction explicitly as the inverse of addition. If the child knows 3 + 4 = 7, they can figure out 7 − 3 = 4. Fact families are the bridge between the two operations.

What to Expect

By the end of Phase 4, the learner knows all subtraction facts to 10 and understands the relationship between addition and subtraction.

Lessons in This Phase

66 −1 facts 67 −1 facts 68 −1 facts 69 −1 facts 70 −2 facts 71 −2 facts 72 −2 facts 73 −2 facts 74 −3 facts 75 −3 facts 76 −3 facts 77 −3 facts 78 fact families 79 fact families 80 −0 81 −0 82 review 83 review 84 review 85 review