"The Action of Subtraction" by Brian P. Cleary

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Title: The Action of Subtraction
Author: Brian P. Cleary
Illustrator: Brian Gable
Recommended Grade Level: Kindergarten – 1st Grade

Common Core Standards Addressed: 

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.OA.A.1
Represent addition and subtraction with objects, fingers, mental images, drawings, sounds (e.g., claps), acting out situations, verbal explanations, expressions, or equations.

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.OA.A.2
Solve addition and subtraction word problems, and add and subtract within 10, e.g., by using objects or drawings to represent the problem

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.OA.A.5 *Partially, only subtract within five.
Fluently add and subtract within 5.

Summary: The book is composed of several different stories or examples that depict subtraction in action. There is no true storyline to the book. On one section, the book talks about removing two bowling pins from a group of ten, while in another section the book discusses a boy who had twelve stuffed animals and then gave two to sally. These are the kinds of short stories you would find compiled within the book.

Rating: 5/5

I gave this story a five out of five because it explains subtraction using wording and examples in ways that children can readily grasp. The story provides examples of subtraction that are very relatable to children.

Classroom Ideas:
Ideas for a classroom setting would include physically re-enacting some of the parts from the book. I would for example bring in some bowling pins and maybe a small ball that I would have the children use, illustrating how we would start with ten pins, but knocking three down would leave us with seven. 

I can also bring in some toy eggs or stuffed animals to present the children with scenarios where subtraction would take place.

Comments

  1. UnknownMarch 22, 2018 at 9:50 AM

    Sometimes a few little stories might resonate even better with small children than one big story line, specially if the main idea is to learn subtraction. A child may read one page and get it right away; while for some it may take them a little longer. The fact that this book has many little stories makes it even better for small children who are learning the subtraction concept for the first time.

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