Calculate the difference
I can calculate the difference and find pairs that have the same difference.
Calculate the difference
I can calculate the difference and find pairs that have the same difference.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- When comparing numbers, we can look at the difference between them.
- The difference between two numbers has a value.
- The difference can be shown as a bar model.
- Difference can be calculated as subtraction.
- Different pairs of numbers can have the same difference.
Keywords
Difference - The result of subtracting one number from another. Way in which two or more things we are comparing are not the same.
Same - Way in which two or more things we are comparing are like each other.
Subtraction - To partition one part from another (the subtrahend from the difference), or to decrease an amount by taking an amount away.
Common misconception
Recording a subtraction to show difference incorrectly e.g. knowing that the difference between 4 and 6 is 2, but recording this as 4 - 6 = 2
Stress we can compare 6 to 4 or 4 to 6, but remind children that subtraction is not commutative so the whole (/ the larger number of those being compared) has to be written first in the expression. We can however change the position of the = symbol.
To help you plan your year 2 maths lesson on: Calculate the difference, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 2 maths lesson on: Calculate the difference, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 1 maths lessons from the Calculating within 20 unit, dive into the full primary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Use number facts to 10 to match the parts of the equation.
3
5
8
0
2
Q2.There are 3 _________ spiders than ladybirds

Q3.Look at the image. Which numbers in the bar model represent the pens, pencils and difference?

Number of pencils
Numbers of pens
Difference between the number of pencils and the number of pens
Q4.What is the difference between the number of cubes shown?

Q5.What is the difference between the number of cubes shown?

Q6.The difference between 3 and 9 is

Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which equation has been written to find the difference between 7 and 3?
Q2.7 and 3 have a difference of
Q3.Which equations represent the difference between the towers of cubes?

Q4.Aisha used 7 coloured pencils for her artwork. Lucas used 4 How many more coloured pencils did Aisha use than Lucas?
Aisha used more coloured pencils than Lucas.
Q5.There are 4 children outside and 8 children inside. How many fewer children are outside than inside? There are fewer children outside than inside.
Q6.Which pairs of numbers have a difference of 4?
5
6
7
8