We are working on subtraction strategies. It is very important to realize as a parent (and a teacher!) that the traditional North American algorithm (columns with regrouping) is NOT the only or best or fasted way to solve large-digit subtraction. It may seem that way because for many adults, it was the only strategy that we learned in school.
Some of the other strategies that we'll be exploring at school include: Base 10 blocks, Decomposing, Number Line (why subtract when you can add?), friendly numbers and anything else that students come up with that works every time!
I was taught in school the traditional algorithm (cross out the number, borrow from the next), but after learning so many new strategies, I'm never going back!
Check out this video of a teacher explaining 16 different ways to subtract!
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