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Year 1 outdoor lesson plans for subtraction

Year 1 - Subtraction (1- digit numbers)

This outdoor maths unit makes subtraction active, visual, and meaningful for young learners. Children will explore subtraction through nature-based activities, movement games, and real-world contexts, from writing subtraction statements to practising counting backwards and finding the difference. Each lesson builds fluency, strengthens vocabulary, and keeps engagement high with practical, hands-on learning in your outdoor space.

Lesson Plans

Representing subtraction using pictures and objects

During this outdoor lesson your children will identify representations of numbers in nature, use natural loose parts and subtraction stories to investigate the process of subtraction and introduce themselves to subtraction vocabulary.

Learning objective:

To represent subtraction using objects and pictures.

Writing subtraction calculations

The main activity of this outdoor lesson uses inspiration from the outdoor environment to introduce and add context to writing subtraction statements. 

Learning objective:

To write subtraction calculations.

Subtracting by counting backwards

Deliver an outdoor maths lesson that deepens the children’s fluency and understanding of counting backwards whilst using movement to engage them in their learning.

Learning objective:

To subtract by counting backwards.

Finding the difference

Deepen your children’s understanding of finding the difference by practising this skill in context in your outdoor space. Other activities include using physical movement to practise recalling mathematical vocabulary.

Learning objective:

To find the difference.

Comparing addition and subtraction statements

During this outdoor lesson your children will enjoy playing a classic playground game with a twist, hunting for statements, using comparison sticks and conclude with a discussion to demonstrate their learning throughout the unit.

Learning objective:

To compare addition and subtraction statements.

Before you get started

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