Grid Learning System (GLS) - Puzzle Based Mathematical Reasoning
The Subtraction Puzzle Quest
Taking Away, Counting Back, and Finding the Difference
EARLY LEARNERS MATHEMATICS | KINDERGARTEN - GRADE 1
Page 1 Protymera
, Grid Learning System (GLS) - Puzzle Based Mathematical Reasoning
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
▸ Recognize and define basic subtraction vocabulary, including subtract, minus, take
away, and difference.
▸ Explain how a starting amount and an amount taken away relate to what is left within 5.
▸ Match simple subtraction facts within 5 to their correctly spelled number-word answer.
▸ Classify subtraction facts within 5 by the strategy they use - taking away zero, taking
away all, or counting back one.
▸ Use comparison clues to determine which subtraction fact matches an unknown
difference.
▸ Recognize and extend subtraction patterns within 5, including finding missing facts and
reordering scrambled facts.
▸ Understand that addition and subtraction are inverse operations within 5.
▸ Use counting-back, taking-away, and subtraction relationships to solve basic subtraction
facts within 5.
▸ Subtract numbers with differences within 5 to solve problems and reveal a hidden word.
▸ Solve subtraction facts within 5 and explain what the difference represents.
Page 2 Protymera
, Grid Learning System (GLS) - Puzzle Based Mathematical Reasoning
HOW TO PLAY - YOUR PUZZLE JOURNEY
This template takes you through seven learning puzzles built around the same topic, each
one built around a different way of thinking, plus a dedicated Challenge Section with twelve
tiered challenges, and a Player Progress Tracker at the end. Every puzzle also includes
its own Concept Check with three questions. Every answer is collected together near the
end so you (or a parent or teacher) can check the work.
1 WORD SEARCH - Recognize: Find every key term hidden in the grid.
2 CONCEPT MAP - Connect: Fill in how key terms relate to one another.
3 WORD GRID - Retrieve: Use the clues to spell out each key term correctly.
4 SORT & CLASSIFY - Distinguish: Place each item into its correct category.
5 LOGIC GRID - Deduce: Use the clues to match each entity correctly.
SEQUENCE & PATTERN - Organize: Fill in several missing items, then
6
reorder a scrambled sequence, and explain the rule.
CODEBREAKER - Apply: Use the Code Key to answer each question and
7
reveal the hidden message.
CHALLENGE SECTION - Transfer: Complete twelve tiered challenges of
8
increasing depth.
Page 3 Protymera
, Grid Learning System (GLS) - Puzzle Based Mathematical Reasoning
SUBTRACTION VOCABULARY UNLOCK: PUZZLE
1 OF 7: WORD SEARCH
Puzzle Focus: This warm-up reinforces the core vocabulary of subtraction - subtract,
minus, difference, and more - before you apply these ideas in the puzzles ahead. Find
every item from the bank below - it may run across, down, or diagonally.
P H V R E M O V E P
D I F F E R E N C E
X F S U B T R A C T
Q Q T A K E A W A Y
P M I N U S X N K K
M E O L E F T U S K
M F E W E R J I A L
S A T S R W Z S W E
E S Z E Q U A L S S
C O M P A R E Z K S
Page 4 Protymera
The Subtraction Puzzle Quest
Taking Away, Counting Back, and Finding the Difference
EARLY LEARNERS MATHEMATICS | KINDERGARTEN - GRADE 1
Page 1 Protymera
, Grid Learning System (GLS) - Puzzle Based Mathematical Reasoning
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
▸ Recognize and define basic subtraction vocabulary, including subtract, minus, take
away, and difference.
▸ Explain how a starting amount and an amount taken away relate to what is left within 5.
▸ Match simple subtraction facts within 5 to their correctly spelled number-word answer.
▸ Classify subtraction facts within 5 by the strategy they use - taking away zero, taking
away all, or counting back one.
▸ Use comparison clues to determine which subtraction fact matches an unknown
difference.
▸ Recognize and extend subtraction patterns within 5, including finding missing facts and
reordering scrambled facts.
▸ Understand that addition and subtraction are inverse operations within 5.
▸ Use counting-back, taking-away, and subtraction relationships to solve basic subtraction
facts within 5.
▸ Subtract numbers with differences within 5 to solve problems and reveal a hidden word.
▸ Solve subtraction facts within 5 and explain what the difference represents.
Page 2 Protymera
, Grid Learning System (GLS) - Puzzle Based Mathematical Reasoning
HOW TO PLAY - YOUR PUZZLE JOURNEY
This template takes you through seven learning puzzles built around the same topic, each
one built around a different way of thinking, plus a dedicated Challenge Section with twelve
tiered challenges, and a Player Progress Tracker at the end. Every puzzle also includes
its own Concept Check with three questions. Every answer is collected together near the
end so you (or a parent or teacher) can check the work.
1 WORD SEARCH - Recognize: Find every key term hidden in the grid.
2 CONCEPT MAP - Connect: Fill in how key terms relate to one another.
3 WORD GRID - Retrieve: Use the clues to spell out each key term correctly.
4 SORT & CLASSIFY - Distinguish: Place each item into its correct category.
5 LOGIC GRID - Deduce: Use the clues to match each entity correctly.
SEQUENCE & PATTERN - Organize: Fill in several missing items, then
6
reorder a scrambled sequence, and explain the rule.
CODEBREAKER - Apply: Use the Code Key to answer each question and
7
reveal the hidden message.
CHALLENGE SECTION - Transfer: Complete twelve tiered challenges of
8
increasing depth.
Page 3 Protymera
, Grid Learning System (GLS) - Puzzle Based Mathematical Reasoning
SUBTRACTION VOCABULARY UNLOCK: PUZZLE
1 OF 7: WORD SEARCH
Puzzle Focus: This warm-up reinforces the core vocabulary of subtraction - subtract,
minus, difference, and more - before you apply these ideas in the puzzles ahead. Find
every item from the bank below - it may run across, down, or diagonally.
P H V R E M O V E P
D I F F E R E N C E
X F S U B T R A C T
Q Q T A K E A W A Y
P M I N U S X N K K
M E O L E F T U S K
M F E W E R J I A L
S A T S R W Z S W E
E S Z E Q U A L S S
C O M P A R E Z K S
Page 4 Protymera
