Two-Digit Subtraction Anchor Chart

What do you use to support your students in mastering different subtraction strategies? In our classroom, we create a two-digit subtraction anchor chart. This visual reference serves as a valuable tool for students, aiding them in recalling and applying a variety of subtraction methods. We design this anchor chart once students have become acquainted with all the strategies, encompassing the same problem but showcasing diverse subtraction techniques.

I remember when I was in second grade, grappling with the concept of 2-digit subtraction with regrouping. It felt like a daunting task then, but looking back now, I realize how crucial it was for my mathematical growth. The teaching methods have certainly evolved since my time, and it’s great to see these positive changes.

The biggest difference between today’s math and the math we learned in our school days is the focus on problem-solving. It’s not just about getting the right answer anymore; it’s about understanding the why and how behind the strategies and operations. It’s like being given a map and compass instead of just being told the destination. This approach empowers students to choose the strategies that resonate with their unique learning style. This is so important because not every child learns in the same way.

Here are the math strategies in the two-digit subtraction anchor chart.

What are the Strategies Used for Subtracting Two-Digit Numbers?

I use a variety of models and strategies when teaching two-digit addition and subtraction. In general, I stick with place value strategies, such as breaking apart or regrouping the digits, subtracting tens, subtracting ones, counting up or down, and compensation.

Two-Digit Subtraction Anchor Chart Strategies

Here is the anchor chart we created. We developed it after a couple of weeks of work with two-digit subtraction:

Here are short descriptions of the strategies in our anchor chart:

Think Addition

For the think-addition strategy, I teach students to count up. We first start this strategy using a number line. While using a number line we also write out the jumps we make into mathematical equations. I show students how to transition from using a number line to using equations. We document all the mathematical thinking going on in their heads.

Use Compensation

Compensation is another strategy we use. It is a more advanced strategy but is also a great way for students to learn to manipulate numbers in their heads. Compensation is a property of operations strategy. Students should have a good grasp of addition and subtraction of single digit numbers and be able to work with numbers across a ten or work with friendly numbers.

With compensation, students figure out how to make the digits in the problem easier by adding and subtraction the same amount for each number in the problem.

Decompose a Ten

Decomposing a ten is a math strategy where students break apart one or both of the numbers into tens and ones. In this case, 45 can be broken apart into 40+5. Students can shuffle the numbers into 30+15 to make the problem easier to solve.

This strategy is directly tied to the traditional algorithm and a great pre-curser to it.

Use Negative Numbers

I did add one more variation of “Use negatives”. I actually think that using negatives is the easiest for my students to do because it doesn’t require that they know higher subtraction facts (like 15-7).  They only need to know the facts from 1-9 and know that if the first number is larger it’s “plus x” or if the first number is smaller, it’s “minus x”.  They’ve been much more accurate with this method.

Two-digit subtraction strategies are an important part of the mathematics curriculum for second-grade students. By teaching students different strategies to solve two-digit subtraction problems, they can become more flexible and confident problem solvers. Through these strategies, students can develop the skills to think critically and practice math in a meaningful way.

Two-Digit Subtraction Teaching Resources

Along with the two-digit subtraction anchor chart, the following two-digit subtraction worksheets and math centers will help your students learn to solve two-digit subtraction problems using a variety of math strategies. These teaching resources can be found on my website or on Teachers Pay Teachers.