Max Conquers the Field Day Relay Race

About this Grade 1 Subtracting Multiples Of 10 Drill

Subtracting multiples of 10 is a foundational skill that helps six- and seven-year-olds understand how our base-ten number system works. When children can quickly solve problems like 45 - 10 or 60 - 20, they're building mental math fluency that makes larger subtraction problems feel manageable later on. At this age, kids are developing number sense—the ability to think flexibly about quantities—and working with tens helps them see that numbers aren't just isolated facts to memorize but patterns they can manipulate. This skill also connects to real-world situations, like when a child has 50 cents and spends 10 cents, or when counting down laps at a field day event. Mastering this concept now builds confidence and prepares them for two-digit subtraction in upcoming grades.

What your student will practice

• Subtract multiples of 10 from two-digit numbers with accuracy
• Recognize the tens place and how it changes during subtraction
• Apply mental math strategies to solve subtraction problems fluently
• Transfer subtracting-tens skills to word problems and real situations

Common mistakes to watch for

Many first graders mistakenly subtract from the ones place instead of the tens place, answering 34 - 20 = 32 instead of 14. Others confuse the process by counting backward by ones rather than recognizing the pattern of tens, turning a quick mental task into tedious counting. Watch for students who write the correct answer but can't explain their thinking—this suggests they may have guessed rather than understood the tens structure. You'll also notice some children reverse digits (writing 14 when they meant 41), showing they haven't yet anchored their understanding of place value.