STEP 1

• Children separate a larger group of up to 14 objects into two smaller groups.
• Repeatedly separate a group of objects into smaller groups per the table below. For example, 5 pencils from 5 pencils leaves 0 pencils, 8 coins from 13 coins leaves 5 coins, and 9 cars from 14 cars leaves 5 cars, etc.

• When children are ready, have them separate the object groups themselves.
• Children must perfectly master the operations listed in the table before proceeding to the next phase of the lesson.

STEP 2

• Children separate groups of objects they can’t see, but can imagine (bears, mountains, trees).
• Using the table above as a guide, ask children to call out the answer to questions such as, ‘How many are one shoe from six shoes?’ and ‘How many are nine frogs from fourteen frogs?’
• Give numerous exercises on each number, with constant reviews, until children can recite each operation in the table with great accuracy and rapidity.

STEP 3

• In this phase, do not mention objects. Children subtract numbers directly.
• Using the table above as a guide, ask children to call out the answer to questions such as, ‘How many are one from six?’ and ‘How many are five from six?’
• Give numerous exercises on each number, with constant reviews, until children can perform each operation with great accuracy and rapidity.

STEP 4

• Direct children to practice writing and reciting the subtraction problems listed in the table above. For example, they would write and then recite:
• 5 from 14 leaves 9
• 14 minus 5 is 9
• 14 – 5 = 9
• Repeat for each combination in the table until the children master the tasks.

STEP 5

Have children copy, solve, and recite the following table:

• 13 + 1 or 1 + 13 = ; therefore 14 – 1 = ; 14 – 13 =
• 12 + 2 or 2 + 12 = ; therefore 14 – 2 = ; 14 – 12 =
• 11 + 3 or 3 + 11 = ; therefore 14 – 3 = ; 14 – 11 =
• 10 + 4 or 4 + 10 = ; therefore 14 – 4 = ; 14 – 10 =
• 9 + 5 or 5 + 9 = ; therefore 14 – 5 = ; 14 – 9 =
• 8 + 6 or 6 + 8 = ; therefore 14 – 6 = ; 14 – 8 =
• 7 + 7 = ; therefore 14 – 7 =

STEP 6

• Assess mastery by reading aloud the word problems below and having the children mentally compute and recite the solutions. If children have difficulties, repeat the prior phases and then reassess.