Subtraction with Furniture — Kindergarten

Crossing out is the simplest way into subtraction, and this sheet leans on it the whole way. A group of sofas, tables and a lamp is shown; the child strikes through the ones that go away and counts the furniture that stay. The struck-out pictures show what left, the rest show what's left — the difference is right there to see. Small amounts keep every answer checkable by counting the ones that remain, and because nothing must be read first, even a child new to written numbers can work through every row on their own.

The last number you count among the ones left names how many remain — and that is the answer to a take-away. Linking the count of what's left to the result is the understanding kindergartners are forming, and crossing pictures out keeps it something they can point to and recount for themselves whenever they are unsure.

Children who enjoy furniture take to crossing out quickly, and it works as a calm hands-on task or a whole-class action on the board. When this feels easy, take some away in subtraction with home things (black & white), or try subtraction with musical instruments. You can also browse every subtraction worksheet or the whole furniture collection for kindergarten — each sheet prints cleanly in black and white or plays online for free.