Subtraction Winter
by The Swift Bird © 2026
Price: $4 USD
Subjects: games,math,holiday,firstDayOfWinter,additionAndSubtraction,operationsAndAlgebraicThinking,mathElementary
Grades: 13,1
Description
Subtraction with lanterns during winter. You have a big job—You need to save power by turning off the lanterns! On every card, students subtract by tapping the required number of lanterns to turn them off, then count how many glowing lanterns are left. It’s a playful, visual way to make subtraction feel concrete while keeping the winter spirit front and center. What students do 1. Read a subtraction sentence to identify how many to take away. 2. Tap the glowing lanterns to turn them off to subtract the given amount. 3. Count the remaining glowing lanterns and state/write the subtraction answer. Why it works 1. Reinforces the take-away model of subtraction with immediate visual feedback. 2. Builds fluency with subtract within 10 (optionally within 5 for extra support). 3. Encourages math talk: “We started with 9 lanterns, we subtracted 4, we have 5 left.” 4. Uses a consistent winter story so the focus stays on subtraction thinking. Skills & standards 1. Counting back and “how many left” subtraction (K.OA.A.2, 1.OA.C.6, 1.OA.A.1). 2. Modeling subtract situations (start-change-result, part-part-whole). 3. Writing and reading subtraction equations to match actions.
Acknowledgements
This resource was earlier a part of the "Curious Buds" store. freepik.com pixabay.com