Fluently

Subtracting
within 1000
Third Grade Math 90 minutes Standards: 3.NBT.A.2

by Josephine Alston June 26, 2015

Start your students on subtracting three-digit numbers with this lesson that breaks the problems
down by place values!

Learning Objectives
Students will be able to solve subtraction problems within 1,000.

Materials and Preparation Key Terms: Attachments
Math journals or paper place
Pencils value
PDF
Subtraction Math worksheet

Subtraction
Math

Get more lesson plans at www.education.com/lesson-plans/

Lesson
Introduction (15 minutes)
Invite students to bring their math journals and a pencil to the class meeting area.
Tell them to place their supplies on the floor next to them.
Tell the students that today we're going to learn a strategy for solving subtraction problems
within 1,000.
Let the students know that to solve for these problems they must have a strong grasp of
place value, which we will do a review of, before proceeding.
On the board write “Place Value.” Under this term, write the following:
Place: The position of a digit in a number.
10,000s 1,000s 100s 10s 1s
Value: The value of the digit in its place

Ask students what the term place means in regards to a number. As the students share,
place the correct definition next to the term.
Then, ask the students to share what the term value means in regards to a number. As the
students share, place the correct definition next to the term.
Next, come up with a number, for example 14,262, to show the students how to correlate or
determine the place and value of specific digits. Make a chart on the board showing these
values. For example:
1 4 2 6 2
Place: 10,000s 1,000s 100s 10s 1s
Value: 10,000 4,000 200 60 2
(10,000x1) (1000x4) (100x2) (10x6) (1x2)

Explicit Instruction/Teacher Modeling (15 minutes)

Direct the students’ attention to the board.
Write a few subtraction problems, within 1,000, on the board, such as 887-498 or 978-683.
Tell the students that the first thing we want to do is rewrite the problem in place value
format, as follows: (800 + 80 + 7) - (400 + 90 + 8).
Next, tell the students that we will add the numbers, on both sides of the equal sign, based
on place value, as follows: (800 - 400) + (80-90) + (7-8).
With student input, continue to solve the above problem until you find the answer of 389.

Get more lesson plans at www.education.com/lesson-plans/

Guided Practice/Interactive Modeling (15 minutes)
Tell the students to pick up their supplies and write down and solve the other problem, 978 -
683, using what’s been termed the "Place Value Method for Subtraction," on the board.
Ask for volunteers to raise their hands and share with the class the steps involved based on
the problem just completed.
Give the students time to solve the problem.
As the problem is being solved aloud by the class, write down the steps volunteered by the
students on the whiteboard.
When the problem is done, review it with the class for accuracy. Make sure everyone has
the problem written down as a reference for completing their assignment during
independent work time.

Independent Working Time (20 minutes)

Send the students back to their seats.
Pass out the Subtraction Math worksheets.
Walk around and observe the students as they work on completing the assignment.
Monitor the students as they work, making sure the problems are done correctly, in that they
are justifying their answers by showing their work.
During this time, the teacher will ask questions of the students to make sure they
understand the concept of subtracting within 1,000 using place value.
The teacher will also answer questions by the students, to help them clarify any
misconceptions they may have.

Get more lesson plans at www.education.com/lesson-plans/

Extend
Differentiation
Enrichment: Students can be given an additional worksheet if they finish early,
additionally, students may start practicing subtracting four-digit numbers.
Support: Observe and monitor these students more closely. Get involved in helping the
students solve the problems. These students would also benefit from the use of
manipulatives.

Technology Integration Related Books and/or Media

Review
Assessment (10 minutes)
The students will be assessed based on the comments and feedback from them during the
lesson about the assignment and at the conclusion of the lesson.
They will also be assessed based on the results of the completed problems assigned.

Review and Closing (15 minutes)

Bring the students back to the class meeting area.
Ask for volunteers to share their answers and work for the problems assigned.
As the problems are reviewed in front of the class, the students will check their answers for
accuracy.
After each problem has been checked for accuracy, ask the class if there are any questions
or comments on solving for subtraction problems within 1,000 using place value.

Copyright © 2006 - 2015 Education.com, Inc. All rights reserved.

Get more lesson plans at www.education.com/lesson-plans/