Subtraction Rules

We have learned that in addition, turn-around facts help us solve problems quickly.  We know that 5+2 is the same as 2+5; 7!  Today, we explored to see if the same is true in subtraction.  We learned that it is NOT!  We started by solving 5-2= ?.  To solve, we drew a picture. We showed 5 items and crossed 2 out.  We had 3 remaining. We wrote the number model: 5-2=3.  Then, we tried to turn it around just like we do in addition!  We drew a picture showing 2 items, and then tried to cross out 5.
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"Hey!  You can't do that!"  "This doesn't work!"  "Mrs. Hershman!  Did you  mean 5-2 again?"


We realized that in subtraction, there are no turn-around facts and you must always start with the larger number! 


We are still looking, listening for, building and writing short vowel words.  We have found them everywhere!  We have also been impressive detectives and found lots of examples of words that don't follow the short vowel sound rules. 


In reading, we are learning to follow characters through longer stories.  Today, we learned that we learn about characters by what they say, do, like, and dislike.  We learned all about a character named Mr. Putter and his cat, Tabby.  Ask your first grader to tell you what we learned about them!