To set the stage for learning, choose a counting back book to read from the Counting Books Resource Sheet, such as Ten Sly Piranhas, Ten Little Ladybugs, or Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree.
Counting Books
If no books are available, tell a story about counting back such as the following:
There were eight candies on
a plate. Zack took one of them; then Yula took one; then Xavier took
one, and Wilma took one, and so forth.
As the
students listen to the story, have them model each number from the
story with counters, links, or candies, then write the numeral and
number word for each. Watching their responses will help you assess the
students’ current level of understanding.
Next give each child 10‑12 links. Hold up a number and ask the
children to make a chain with that many links, lay it flat on the desk
and then record the number of links on their slates. Then ask them to
add one link and record the addition they have just modeled using the
equation (horizontal) format. Now show the same starting number and ask
the children to make a chain with that many links. Have students record
that number as before but this time to count away one link and then
record the subtraction they have just modeled using the horizontal
format.
Now ask the students to build a chain of six links and hold the chain vertically so that it hangs down. Lead them in singing Six Little Ducks, from the Song Lyrics Resource Sheet, as they remove the links one at a time. Ask them to record each subtraction in vertical format.
Song Lyrics
When the children are ready, ask them to share one of their
differences and the counting process that was used to get it. Summarize
how students can count back to subtract one.