| aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type | Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson |
| Which subject | Mathematics |
| What age group | Year or Grade 2 |
| What topic | Subtractions |
| Quantity | 1 |
| Any other preferences |
Students will understand the concept of subtraction through a fun and engaging story that illustrates the process of taking away.
Begin your lesson with an exciting story to capture the students' attention:
Teacher: "Okay, class! Gather around! Today, we have a special story about our friend, Cookie Monster, who loves cookies more than anything in the world! Can you imagine how many cookies he has?"
(Pause for students to respond.)
Teacher: "Yes! Cookie Monster has 10 delicious cookies. But oh no! One day, his friend, Elmo, came over to play. Cookie Monster was so happy to see Elmo that he decided to share some cookies with him. But how many did he share? Let’s find out!"
Write the following on the whiteboard:
10 Cookies - ? Cookies = ? Cookies Left
Teacher: "Can anyone guess how many cookies Cookie Monster shares with Elmo? Let’s count the cookies in the basket together!"
(Let students interact by counting the cookies from the basket and then choose a number for how many they think Cookie Monster will share.)
After choosing a number, demonstrate the subtraction process visually:
If they select 3 cookies:
Update the visual: Remove 3 objects from the basket, leaving 7.
Teacher: "Now we can see that when Cookie Monster shares 3 cookies, he has 7 left. This process is called subtraction."
Next, give students their own small groups of objects and challenge them to create their own subtraction stories using the objects. Encourage them to think creatively and present their stories to the class.
By linking subtraction to a fun story and interactive counting, you'll help your students understand and apply the concept of taking away in a way that's enjoyable and relatable.
To reinforce their learning, provide students with a worksheet that features simple subtraction problems related to cookies or their favorite snacks, ensuring that they have a chance to practice at home.
Using storytelling and hands-on learning can make mathematics engaging for second graders while establishing a solid foundation for subtraction. Enjoy the adventure of subtraction with your students!