This resource was created as a supplement for the Language Builder: ARIS® Academic Readiness Intervention System complete early autism curriculum, Lesson #183, Subtracting Using Counter Objects. Download a free copy of the lesson and learn more about ARIS here.
Subtraction is a crucial skill that is needed to build independence in daily life. Some autistic children struggle to master the concept of subtraction, while other children master the skill quickly. However, many autistic individuals struggle to generalize the process of subtraction to real-life situations.
Using manipulatives to help teach subtraction is a common and research-based strategy proven to help students understand subtraction conceptually. This strategy allows students to better visualize the process.
Having visuals, such as numbers and mathematical signs, is a helpful way to reinforce a student’s understanding of subtraction. For students to succeed in subtraction, they must understand quantity, whether by manipulatives or visually seeing the numbers. Having the students recognize and identify the subtraction and equal signs is critical to ensure student success.
Students will have to be able to generalize the skill of subtraction to real life to master the concept entirely. An excellent way to help students generalize is by incorporating books that cover a particular skill. Below you will find a list of 20 books that will help learners understand and reinforce the process of subtraction.
1. Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
This award-winning book is a favorite of many. It’s about a beautiful fish that isn’t willing to share its beautiful rainbow scales. However, he eventually decides to share them with the other fish. This fantastic story teaches kindness and sharing, but any educator can easily incorporate subtraction into telling the story. Have the students express and demonstrate how many scales the rainbow fish gave away to teach them subtraction.
2. If You Were a Minus Sign by Trisha Sue Speed Shaskan
In If You Were a Minus Sign by Trisha Sue Speed Shaskan, readers will get to go on a subtraction adventure with the minus sign. The author uses rhymes to keep the readers “hooked.” This book is a great resource when teaching subtraction.
3. Monster Musical Chairs by Stuart J. Murphy
Stuart J. Murphy and his MathStart series have helped little learners throughout the years understand math. Monster Musical Chairs is no different, and it explicitly teaches the concept of subtraction while keeping readers engaged. Teachers can even incorporate a game of musical chairs to further help with understanding subtraction.
4. Arithmechicks Take Away by Ann Marie Stephens
A great feature of Ann Marie Stephens’ book, Arithmechicks Takes Away, is the glossary that she includes in the book. The glossary demonstrates to readers different subtraction strategies. While readers go through the book, they can identify what subtraction strategies the Arithmechicks are using. A wonderful video is available of the author reading her book to children and stuffed animals.
5. Five Green and Speckled Frogs by Constanza Basaluzzo
A favorite children’s song adapted into a book is often captivating for young children. The book can be used to practice counting and how to subtract. The book is full of detail and colorful pictures that will keep the reader interested.
6. Elevator Magic by Stuart J. Murphy (MathStart 2)
Stuart J. Murphy’s award-winning series is an excellent resource for any teacher. Murphy uses an elevator as a vertical number line, giving subtraction equations for each floor. This book can help any student understand subtraction and provides an introduction to number lines as well.
7. Too Many Carrots by Katy Hudson
This book teaches caring, sharing, and empathy and could also be used to teach subtraction. The rabbit in the story has collected too many carrots and needs to distribute the carrots to make room. A beautiful tale about friendship ensues.
8. How Many Blue Birds Flew Away by Paul Giganti, Jr.
Throughout this book, readers will practice counting and subtracting. Mr. Giganti does a good job demonstrating the process of subtraction, and he also uses math terminology, such as “difference,” throughout his story.
9. The Action of Subtraction by Brian P. Cleary
Brian P. Cleary, in his book The Action of Subtraction, does a wonderful job with his entertaining characters and vibrant illustrations. He seamlessly ties subtraction into the plot of his story. This story will help students understand subtraction and keep them entertained simultaneously.
10. Subtraction Action by Loreen Leedy
This excellent chapter book by Loreen Leedy introduces her readers to single-digit subtraction and gradually works the reader into more challenging subtraction equations (double-digit). The silly animal characters keep readers entertained while doing an excellent job of reinforcing the concept of subtraction. Loreen Leedy’s books, Subtraction Action, Mission Addition, and Fraction Action, should be in every teacher’s math library.
11. Ten Terrible Dinosaurs by Paul Stickland
Ten Terrible Dinosaurs is a fun book that encourages children to chant along with the repetitive rhymes found throughout the story. Children will work on counting backward as the dinosaurs scatter, always ending up with one less.
12. Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow
Young students love the Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed song, and this adorable tale brings those lively monkeys to life. Children will be able to work on counting and subtracting after each monkey falls off the bed. Learners are eager to participate in this entertaining story. This story can even be acted out using a pretend “bed” and having children jump up and down. Start with five children and then remove one and chant again, and so on until you reach zero!
13. Splash by Ann Jonas
Let’s make a Splash with Ann Jones while practicing subtraction. This book offers its readers bright colors and an interesting bunch of silly animals falling in and coming out of a pond. Ann Jonas’ fun tale can be used for teaching both addition and subtraction.
14. Ten Sly Piranhas by William Wise
In the book Ten Sly Piranhas, children will work on counting backward from 10 and also learn 1 to 1 correspondence. The rhyme scheme and repetition in the book will keep young learners engaged.
15. Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin
A favorite all-time storybook character is Pete the Cat. Children love the catchy and fun songs that go along with the Pete the Cat series. In this book, Pete keeps losing his “groovy” buttons. Readers will work on counting and subtracting throughout this incredible story.
16. Sixteen Runaway Pumpkins by Dianne Ochiltree
Sam, the raccoon, uses a wagon to help Grandpa by collecting pumpkins from the patch. Readers will have the opportunity to work on counting forward and adding while Sam collects the pumpkins. Sam has too many pumpkins, and they begin falling out of the wagon. Once the pumpkins fall out of the wagon, learners will get the opportunity to work on subtraction.
17. The M&M's Subtraction Book by Barbara Barbieri McGrath
Who doesn’t love a subtraction book that involves chocolate manipulatives? This book teaches students to subtract and offers the opportunity to reinforce learners’ work with chocolate—a special treat for both student and teacher.
18. Ten Red Apples by Pat Hutchins
Ten Red Apples is the perfect subtraction book for the Fall season. Ten apples hang from an apple tree, but oh no, the animals on the farm each take an apple from the tree. Pat Hutchins does a good job tying subtraction into this fun farm tale.
19. Five Little Pumpkins by Dan Yaccarino
Five Little Pumpkins is a fun Halloween story and rhyme. Readers enjoy the simplicity and colorful illustrations of the book. Children will work on counting backward while reading this book.
20. Ten on a Twig by Lo Cole
Lo Cole, in her book Ten on a Twig, does a great job engaging her readers. The book is full of bold images and unique pages. This is a fantastic book that will help strengthen a child’s understanding of subtraction.
This resource was created as a supplement for the Language Builder: ARIS complete early autism curriculum, Lesson #183, Subtracting Using Counter Objects. Download a free copy of the lesson and learn more about ARIS here.
