Subtraction: A Range of Strategies for Solving 53 - 29
By Cindy Aossey (KCM) & Funda Gonulates (NKU)
Students build and refine their understanding of subtraction strategies through number talks that
promote flexibility and fluency with numbers In this video, we explore a problem such as 53 − 29,
which encourages students to use and connect a range of strategies, including counting back in
chunks, using benchmark numbers, partial differences, and think-addition. We also show how a teacher
might record students’ thinking on a number line and with symbolic notation to make each step
explicit. Through these examples, students learn to recognize the structure of numbers,
strategically decompose and adjust quantities, and build a foundation for efficient and flexible
mental computation.
Targeted Standards: KY.2.NBT.5, KY.3.NBT.2