Subtract a Number with Post Office — Kindergarten

Every row of this kindergarten worksheet pairs a group of letters, stamps and a parcel you can count with a number written beside a minus sign, and leaves the answer as an empty box. The child counts the pictured post, then takes that written number away — counting back by that much — to find how many are left. Seeing a real group on one side and a number to subtract on the other is the first bridge from taking away pictures to working with symbols.

This is the bridge between taking-away-with-pictures and arithmetic. A child who can count a set of post and then remove a written number is connecting the concrete world of objects to the symbols that will stand in for them, and keeping every total within ten means the link can always be checked by counting what is left.

Children who enjoy post office settle into this quickly once crossing-out feels easy, and it suits a calm independent task. When this feels easy, take some away in subtract a number with reptiles and amphibians, or try subtract a number with toys. You can also browse every subtraction worksheet or the whole post collection for kindergarten — each sheet prints cleanly in black and white or plays online for free.