Print, cut out and laminate bones for the hungry puppy. Ask your students to place five bones in a small dog dish or bowl. Explain that the puppy was hungry as you remove two of the bones. Instruct your students to count the bones remaining in the dish. Continue to play the game with varying numbers of bones placed in the dish and removed.
Print a subtraction sheet for each student. Laminate the sheets for multiple use with washable markers. Place a domino set face down on a table. Ask your students to select a domino. Demonstrate how to count dots on each side of the line and have them subtract the smaller number from the larger number. Play the game as a class, individually or as a learning center activity. Print and laminate domino cards with stars for a larger alternative to traditional dominoes.
Provide each student with a printed Easter basket and eggs. Instruct your students to color and cut out the baskets and eggs. Ask the students to put three eggs in their baskets. Ask how many eggs are left after one egg is removed. Continue to provide scenarios with different numbers of eggs placed in the baskets and removed.
Take your students outdoors for subtraction fun. Bring two baskets and two dozen plastic eggs or small rubber balls. Place the eggs or balls at one end of the play area and divide your students into two lines at the opposite end. Give a basket to the first student in each line. Explain to your students that they will race to the opposite end of the play area after you call out a subtraction problem. Racers will answer the subtraction problem by placing the correct number of eggs or balls in the basket and racing back to check their answers.