Nicole Jennings

Sample Lesson: Prekindergarten Subtraction Lesson

UbD Template
Stage 1 Desired Results
Established Goals:
GOLD:
Math:
20. Uses number concepts and operations
Literacy:
19b. Emergent writing skills: Writes to convey meaning
Language:
9a. Uses language to express thoughts and needs: Uses an expanding
expressive vocabulary
OSSE Theatre:
Strand 4: Interconnect: Apply theatrical concepts to construct meaning and
understanding in other subject areas
Nets-S Technology:
3b. Model digital age work and learning: Collaborate with students, peers,
parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to
support student success and innovation

Enduring Understandings:
Students will understand that

Essential Questions:

How can you use subtraction in

Subtraction is the process of
real life? What are some items
taking away.
you can subtract?
The key elements of
subtraction can be seen in
within real life scenarios.
Technology can be used to
share your learning with others.
Technology can be used to
extend learning at home.
Students will know
Students will be able to
Students will be able to
Subtraction is the process of
accurately create and solve

taking away and the result is

the amount that is left
We can use subtraction in real
life

Stage 2 Assessment Evidence

Performance Tasks:
Students will be able to
Take away and count to
answer, How many are left?
(Number range: At least 0-5)
Optional but encouraged: Write
a number sentence
Students will be able to use
what they know about
subtraction to create a
subtraction story problem and
accurately solve that problem.

their own subtraction number

story

Other Evidence:
Students will be able to
Through observation performance
tasks, students will be able to explain
and demonstrate the subtraction
process

.
Stage 3 Learning Plan
Learning Activities:
Subtraction Story Book Lesson
Grade Level: Prekindergarten to Kindergarten
Overview and Organization: During the Arctic/Antarctic habitat unit, students will
be introduced to subtraction through a series of interactive subtraction stories
modeled by the teacher prior to this activity. Students will create and re-enact their
own subtraction stories, which will be preserved in their very own book.
Suggestions: This activity may be best executed if done in small groups over a
period of a few days so that students are able to receive enough one-on-one
attention from teacher.
Since this activity has elements of story telling in addition to mathematical
processes, it may be helpful to organize this activity into visible step/stations for the
children.

Station 1: Pick starting number and character selection. Students will have the
option to pick up to 15.
Station 2: Pick number to take away and write number sentence (on book cover
maybe)
Station 3: Create your subtraction story and solve your number sentence! (Teacher
records words and re-enactment on camera)
Optional: Decorate your book cover
Materials:
Characters for Selection: penguins, fish
Paper, markers, pencils, tape, pre-made books, camera

Objective: Students will create and accurately solve own subtraction

problems.
Connection: Last week, a very hungry polar bear helped us learn about
subtraction. Can someone remind me what subtraction is?
Teaching Point: Subtraction is when you take away and answer the question
How many are left? (Provide example)
Active Engagement/Link: Today you will be authors and mathematicians
and create your own subtraction storybook! There are different stations,
follow me as I explain what you will be doing in each station. (Explain each
station)
Station 1: You will decide what number/amount you want to start with. This is the
first number in your number sentence. (Allow students to select number and select
their characters-penguins and fish.)
Station 2: How many do you want to take away? (Review and model number
sentence: We read number sentences just like words. Remember it tells us exactly
what we are doing. May be necessary to review subtraction and equal sign quickly.
Help individually as needed.)
Station 3: Allow students independence and time to work on their number stories.
When they are ready, record them re-enacting/ telling their story. Students will have
the option to cross out the eliminated characters with marker or tape. Encourage
them to write final number sentence with answer.
Share/Debrief: Today you brilliant authors and mathematicians created your

own subtraction stories. What did you have to do to subtract and create
these stories?
*Allow 2 or 3 students to share their stories or end with 10 little Penguins jumping
on the bed.
Technology Integration: Put the recordings on the private class website
(shutterfly) and share the link with the parents so that they are able to see the
creation and product of the activity. Encourage parents to watch video with child
and create another story at home.
Possible Tools:
Shutterfly Class website

Assessment Rubric:

During this activity I will be looking for the following things:

Students understand the process of subtraction. This understanding is indicated by

students taking away and counting the left over amount to answer, how many
are left? They will be assessed on accuracy and the ability to explain their
process.

Students will also understand that subtraction can be applied to life situations.
They will use this knowledge and provided tools to create a story problem. They
will be assessed on their ability to tell a short story that aligns with their number
sentence.

Understands
Subtraction

Understands
subtraction
process

Beginning
With prompt, is
able to explain
subtraction is
when you take
away

Able to
take away

Proficient
With very little
prompt, is able to
define
subtraction

Able to take
away

Advanced
Able to define
subtraction
without prompts
and provides
examples
Able to take

We can use
subtraction in
real life

Here is a sample:

with
assistance
and prompts
from the
teacher
Difficulty
stating left
over amount
as final
answer

Student is unable
to come up with a
story to go with
number sentence

accurately
with very
few
prompts
Able to
state left
over
amount as
the final
answer

With little
assistance,
student is able to
create a story to
go with number
sentence

away accurately
and state final
amount without
assistance from
teacher

Student is able
to create and retell story to go
with number
sentence
without
assistance from
teacher