Subtraction Year 2 (aged 6-7)
Subtraction really takes off in Year 2 as the knowledge and skills gained in Year 1 are extended to larger numbers.
Pupils should be taught to:Â
•   recall and use subtraction facts to 20 fluently
•   derive and use related facts up to 100
•   subtract numbers using concrete objects, pictorial representations and mentally
•   subtract a single digit from a 2-digit number
•   subtract whole tens from a 2-digit number
•   subtract two 2-digit numbers
•   recognise and use the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction and use this to check calculations and missing number problems.Â
•   solve problems with subtraction using concrete objects and pictorial representations, including those involving numbers, quantities and measures
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•   apply their increasing knowledge of mental and written methodsÂ
It is also suggested that children should begin to use columns to record their subtraction calculations, in readiness for the formal written method next year.
There is a great deal of work that needs to be done to meet these targets including understanding and reading various terms related to subtraction, such as:
take away, subtract, how much less is, difference between as well as reading and writing the minus (-) sign.
As with addition the emphasis is put on mental arithmetic so that by the end of the year children are responding quickly and accurately to oral and written questions. The key this year is to really learn basic number facts off by heart and then use them to work out other facts.
Three important areas are:
a. using known facts to work out other facts e.g. knowing 9 - 5 = 4 can be used to work outÂ
  quickly 90 - 50. This relates to knowledge of place value in number work.
b. understanding that subtracting zero leaves a number unchanged
c. understanding that 4 – 2 for example, is different from 2 - 4
d. using inverse operations to check answers e.g. to check 10 – 7 = 3 by adding 7 and 3 to make 10.
With well over 100 colourful pages of subtraction worksheets there is plenty to choose from and don’t forget to have a go at our Year 2 Subtraction Games.
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Developing mental arithmetic skills
Bar models and number lines are a great way to help children understand subtraction and are being used in more and more schools.
Fast mental subtraction skills
Plenty of practice at subtracting mentally, including subtracting single digits from 2-digit numbers, subtracting multiples of 10 and completing number sentences.
More brainwhizz: rapid answers needed.
Real life problems using subtraction
Word problems needing simple subtraction with numbers up to 20.
Subtraction in columns
Once they are really confident with mental subtraction children can be introduced to simple written subtraction using columns.
More subtraction activities
Further activities including recognising the relationship between addition and subtraction which can be used to check answers.
