2
Take-away stories
Learner’s Book 1: Unit 5, pp. 79–80
GoalUse a story (first, then, now) to write a take-away number sentence, including taking away all.
New words
first · at the startthen · what happens nextnow · what is left at the end
Explanation
A take-away story has three steps. First, there are some. Then, some go away. Now, there are fewer. First there are 7 apples in a basket. Then 3 apples are eaten. Now there are 4 apples. We say: 7 take away 3 equals 4. We write 7 − 3 = 4. The biggest number comes first, because we start with the whole group. If all of them are taken away, nothing is left. That is 0.
Worked examples
First 9 birds sit on a fence. Then 4 fly away. Now 5 are left. 9 − 4 = 5.
First there are 5 chicks. Then 1 walks away. Now 4 chicks. 5 − 1 = 4.
When all of them are taken away, there are none left. 3 − 3 = 0.
Class activity
Rocket countdown: build a tower of 10 blocks or cups. Take one away and say ‘10 take away 1 equals 9’. Take one more away and say the next sentence. Keep going until none are left, then shout ‘Blast off!’
Practice
1
How many fish are left?
6 (8 − 2 = 6)
2
First there are 6 boats on a lake. Then 2 sail away. Write the number sentence.
6 − 2 = 4
3
How many flowers are left?
0 (4 − 4 = 0)
4
First there are 9 crackers on a plate. Then Leo eats 2. How many crackers are left?
7 (9 − 2 = 7)