What comes after winter? Spring! What comes after the equals sign in a subtraction equation? The difference! In this spring lesson plan, students will look at a variety of spring-themed subtraction pictures and write matching equations.

Use this lesson to teach your students how to determine if they should use addition, subtraction, or both operations to solve a word problem by following four simple steps.

Help your students subtract with confidence by sharing two different strategies. Use this lesson to build on students’ understanding of subtraction and to evaluate this key skill.