Would you like to up the rigor in your classroom simply by using error analysis when solving problems of subtraction with regrouping? What if it’s just a simple change to the activities that your students engage in and not a major overhaul of your lesson plans that increase the rigor?
Over the past few weeks on the blog, we have been exploring place value strategies to help students master the concept as well as solve 2 & 3 digit addition problems.
The Reason Why Using Hands-On Place Value Strategies is Still Important in 3rd Grade
A Place Value Game Your Students Will Beg You to Play
5 Hands-On Ways to Explore Place Value in Math Centers
This week, subtraction with regrouping is the focus. This is a hard one for kids. Subtracting doesn’t seem to come easily at any point – 1st, 2nd, 3rd grade, and beyond. Then you throw in regrouping and our students are overwhelmed.
One way I love to help them truly understand subtraction of 2 & 3 digit numbers (with and without regrouping) is to use error analysis along with place value strategies. This is the simple change that you can make to up the rigor.
Steps to solve error analysis problems:
1. This is the subtraction problem:
2. Using the place value chart they have learned previously, students build the subtraction equation by drawing the base ten pieces. I like to give them the pieces to use as well.
3. They solve the equation using regrouping as needed. Here they have to regroup in the tens place in order to subtract. On this card, the equation is false.
4. After they solve the subtraction equation, they explain and defend their answer using math vocabulary that is provided at the bottom of the worksheet.
Step 4 is the big one. Error analysis really ups the rigor in your math classroom, BUT when-you-also-add-writing to explain – WOW – it just goes through the roof!
One thing I know for sure – 2nd and 3rd graders need a lot of practice with subtraction, and especially subtraction with regrouping. But not just any practice.
It has to be quality practice. The level of rigor is really important too. Both of these elements are necessary for students to reach conceptual understanding. That is the goal.
This Subtraction Error Analysis Activity Pack will help you and your students get to that level of rigor and conceptual understanding right away! Plus, your kiddos will enjoy being detectives and trying to find the errors!
What are some ways you up the rigor in your math classroom – especially with subtraction?
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