Kindergarten Subtraction Worksheets

Introduction

Students use their counting skills to subtract. They count as they take away a number of objects, and then they count the objects remaining. Students gradually build up to finding differences without objects or drawings.

Students first learn about subtraction as an action—take away. You can use the same objects you have used to reinforce addition to reinforce subtraction. Give students up to 20 of any object and have them count them. Then take a few away and have them count them again. Reinforce the action by describing what happened. For example, I gave you 12 beans. Then I took away 6. You counted and found that there are 6 beans left. Start by taking only 1-3 objects away and work up to taking away 10.

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Worksheets (all activites are free, printable PDFs)

Represent Subtraction

Students learn about actions that result in subtraction. They use objects, fingers, drawings, and words to subtract.

This math lesson meets this kindergarten common core standard: K.OA.A.1

Subtract with Objects

Students are given a number of objects. They count a set of objects that are taken away. Then they count the objects remaining. (4 printable worksheets)

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Subtract with Fingers

Students start with a given number of fingers and count off some that they bend down (take away). Then they count the remaining fingers. (4 printable worksheets)

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Subtract with Drawings

Students count as they cross off a given number of items in a drawing. Then they count the items remaining. (4 printable worksheets)

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Subtract with Words

Students are asked in words to find how many are left. Students can choose to use objects, fingers, or drawings to help them subtract. (4 printable worksheets)

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Subtract Using Objects or Drawings

Students use objects or drawings to subtract pairs of numbers with differences less than or equal to 10. To support student learning, give them a group of objects they regularly use and ask how many are left if some are taken away.

This math lesson meets these kindergarten common core standards: K.OA.A.1, K.OA.A.2

Subtract with differences <=5 Using Objects

Subtract numbers using objects with differences less than or equal to 5. (6 printable worksheets)

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Subtract with differences from 6 to 9 Using Objects

Subtract numbers using objects with differences for 6 through 9. (6 printable worksheets)

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Subtract with differences < 10 Using Objects

Subtract numbers using objects with differences less than or equal to 10. (6 printable worksheets)

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Fluently Subtract Up to 5 With Numbers

Students subtract pairs of numbers from 0 to 5 that have a difference of 5 or less. They will not be given pictures to help them, but they can draw a picture or use their figures if they need to.

This math lesson meets these kindergarten common core standards: K.OA.A.1, K.OA.A.5

Subtract differences up to 5 without pictures or drawings

Students practice single-digit subtraction with differences limited from 0 to 5. (10 printable worksheets)

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