Sharing and Subtracting — Differences to 20

Memory Verse "They gave to anyone as he had need." — Acts 2:45 (NIV)

Learning Objective

Students will practice subtraction with numbers up to 20 and connect sharing with subtraction.

Lesson Content

The early church shared everything they had. When we share, we can use subtraction to figure out how much is left.

Let's subtract bigger numbers. 15 - 5 = 10. 18 - 9 = 9. 14 - 6 = 8. To subtract, count back from the bigger number.

Here is a trick: to find 13 - 5, start at 13 and count back 5: 12, 11, 10, 9, 8. So 13 - 5 = 8!

Hands-On Activity

Imagine you have 20 stickers to share with friends. Write subtraction sentences as you give stickers away. How many are left after giving 4 away? After giving 7 more? Draw pictures to show your work.

Discussion Questions

  • What is 16 - 7? Show how you figured it out.
  • How is subtraction the opposite of addition?
  • How can we share with others like the early church did?
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