Bingo is so much fun till the card you need is never drawn. There isn't any strategy involved, and you are at the mercy of the caller. Sitting, waiting, with fingers crossed hoping that one special card is pulled.
Well, this bingo game is different. The players get a choice in what number they will be covering up....and they get to practice subtraction too.
Subtraction . . . It is not always easy.
I'm not sure why, but for the majority of students, addition is easy. Then subtraction is introduced, and things get a little harder. Add on subtraction with regrouping, and many little ones feel overwhelmed.
My first grader has just started subtraction with regrouping, and I didn't want him to be overwhelmed. I decided to introduce it slowly and with lots of manipulatives. Using a file folder activity, I began the teaching process. We continued our learning while enjoying the game "Don't Take My Blocks". But now is the time to practice.
Though he needs to do numerous problems to cement this learning in his little mind, I'm not a big fan of having a child sit and do worksheets while practicing the same type problems over and over. So how do I get that extra practice in?? Simple, with a game.
Subtraction
How Subtraction Bingo Worked For Us
As always, when a game comes out my boys run to join me. They are competitive little guys and they are always happy to help me see if a new game works.
We started off by drawing four cards from our deck and creating an expression. I was prepared to remind N, my first grader, to make sure he created an expression with the larger number on top, but I was thrilled that he did it without a reminder. Once he solved his problem, we checked it using the numbers chart.
You can do this by counting backward. If the expression is 23 - 12, all you do is place your finger on 23, move up one space (that is subtracting ten), then move to the left 2 (that is subtracting 2). This is a great checking tool, and also focuses on place value.
Now came the fun part!! N knew he wanted his next answer to be close to his first answer, so he didn't create just any expression. He played with the numbers till he got an answer close to the previous one. Here he was problem-solving, doing some estimation, and practicing subtraction problems.
The game continued this way for a few rounds, and then all he needed was 66 or 69. N drew a 7, 9. 1 and 3, and I could see the determined look he had in his eye. He was going to get a 66 or a 69 to win. He started off with 71 - 39, but quickly saw that the answer would be in the 30's. He changed the numbers around and came up with 97 - 31. His face broke into a bright smile. He had won!!!!
What do you need to play?
- A deck of cards
- You will need to take out the ten, Jack, Queen, King, and Joker. The Ace will be the number one unless that is too confusing for your child.
- A number's chart for each player
- You don't have to give the same chart to each child. Just pick the one that best meets the need of that specific player. There are 6 number charts to choose from. You have the basic 1- 120's chart, but you also have a chart for 100's, 200's, 300's, 400's and 500's.
- Blank subtraction cards.
- If you are using the 1-120's chart, you would give that player the subtraction cards that subtract two digits by one and two digits by two digits. Any other chart will need the subtraction cards allowing for subtracting with three digits. These cards will need to be laminated so that they can be written on with dry erase markers.
- Game markers
- We placed the hundreds chart in a sheet protector and "covered" up the spaces with a dry erase marker. I've found that little hands accidently knock off game markers, and using a dry erase maker prevents that. But you can provide small game markers if that is easy for you.
- Dry Erase Marker
How to Play Subtraction Bingo
1.For the numbers chart 1 – 120 have students draw four cards.
For all other number charts, have students draw five cards. They will also have a permanent card that stays with them throughout the game. If they are using the 200's number chart they will always have a two, if they are using the 400's chart they should keep a 4 out, and so on.
2.The students will create their own problem and solve. They can choose to use all their cards, or leave one out.
3.If they solve correctly, they may cover up the answer on their hundreds board.
4.The first player to get three in a row wins.
Now it's your turn. Don't leave your little ones waiting patiently, or impatiently for some, for the perfect card to be drawn. Allow them to create their own, and get some extra subtraction practice in too!
Subtraction Math Games
- Aquarium Fish Subtraction File Folder Math Game
- Candy Corn Addition & Subtraction Puzzles
- Christmas Solve & Stamp (Addition & Subtraction)
- Deck of Cards: Addition
- Firefly Catch Game (addition/subtraction)
- Gumball Math: Addition & Subtraction
- Hot Chocolate Math: Addition & Subtraction
- House Fact Families
- 11 Hundreds Chart Math Games
- Solve & Stamp Math Worksheets (addition / subtraction)
- Subtraction Mini Book
- Toy Story Subtraction Flashcards
Download Subtraction Bingo Math Game
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Rachel is a homeschool mom to four little ones, ages 2 to 6. She is a former public elementary teacher, and has recently began blogging at her page You’ve Got This. You can also find her on Facebook and Pinterest.
