Subtraction Activities

Take Off

Take Off
This is a game for a small group, designed to promote an understanding of place value. One person shuffles a set of number cards and places them face down. One card is turned over and each player chooses the same card from their set to place in any one of the five boxes. This is repeated. Once a card is played, it cannot be moved.

After five cards have been turned over, each player performs a subtraction calculation and the one with the largest total is the winner.

The game can be played by any age from year 3 upwards. There are many subtleties in the game which are not essential to its enjoyment.

Whole Class Take Off
The game also works well as a whole class activity, in which the teacher shuffles the cards and calls out each number.

Click on the picture for a copy of Take Off.