Subtraction with Shapes — Kindergarten

Subtraction starts as taking away, and that is exactly what each row asks. A small set of circles, squares and a triangle is shown; the child crosses out the ones that leave and counts what is left behind. Because the whole action happens in pictures the child can mark, the meaning — fewer than we started with — stays right in front of them. Amounts are kept within ten, so every answer can be checked by counting the shapes that remain.

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 shapes 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 space, or try subtraction with trees. You can also browse every subtraction worksheet or the whole shapes collection for kindergarten — each sheet prints cleanly in black and white or plays online for free.