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This Subtracting Multiples Of 10 drill has 40 problems for Grade 1. Paleontology theme. Answer key included.
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Max discovered 80 dinosaur eggs in the cave! He must move them to safety before the volcano erupts.
Standard: CCSS.MATH.1.NBT.C.6
Preview
Page 1 — Drill
Page 2 — Answer Key
What's Included
About this Grade 1 Subtracting Multiples Of 10 Drill
Subtracting multiples of 10 is a foundational skill that helps first graders see patterns in how our number system works. When children understand that 45 - 10 = 35, they're learning that we can remove whole groups of tens without touching the ones place—a concept that makes larger subtraction problems feel manageable later on. This skill builds number sense and mental math confidence, allowing six- and seven-year-olds to work with numbers more flexibly and quickly. In daily life, kids use this when counting down allowance, tracking toys, or even imagining a paleontologist removing 10 rocks from a dig site. Mastering this pattern also reduces reliance on fingers and counting-back strategies, freeing up mental energy for more complex problem-solving. Students who grasp subtracting multiples of 10 develop stronger place-value understanding and are better equipped for two-digit subtraction in later grades.
What your student will practice
- Recognize and subtract multiples of 10 from two-digit numbers fluently
- Understand that subtracting 10 changes only the tens digit, not the ones
- Apply subtracting-multiples-of-10 to solve real-world word problems
- Build automaticity with fact families using tens (40 - 10, 30 - 10, etc.)
Common mistakes to watch for
Many first graders subtract the 10 from the ones place instead of the tens place—for example, answering 35 - 10 = 25 by removing the 1 from 35, which is incorrect. You'll spot this pattern when a child consistently gets the ones digit right but changes it anyway. Another common error is miscounting backward by tens, especially when crossing from 20 to 10. Some students also forget the ones digit entirely, writing 35 - 10 = 5 instead of 25. Watch for these sign that your child is confusing place value rather than simply miscounting.
Use a simple tens frame or draw 10 circles on a whiteboard, then act out subtraction together using small objects like buttons or cereal pieces. Say aloud: 'We have 42 crackers. We eat one group of 10. How many are left?' Have your child physically remove 10 items and count what remains. This hands-on experience solidifies the idea that only the tens group changes, not the individual ones. Repeat with different starting numbers so the pattern becomes automatic.