Subtraction - Grade 1 Math Worksheet 13 - Free Printable

Download this free printable Subtraction worksheet for Grade 1 Math. Perfect for practice, homework, and classroom use.

Grade 1 Math practice

This printable Subtraction worksheet is part of the free WizKidsHub Grade 1 Math collection. Print it at home or in the classroom for extra practice.

What this worksheet teaches

• Understand subtraction as both 'take away' and 'find the difference between'.
• Use known addition facts to work out related subtraction facts (if 6 + 3 = 9, then 9 − 3 = 6).
• Solve simple story problems where something is lost, eaten, given away or left over.
• Notice that subtraction cannot be reversed the way addition can - 9 − 4 is not 4 − 9.

How to use this worksheet

Read each word problem aloud and ask your child what is happening in the story before they write anything. Many Grade 1 errors here are story errors, not number errors - the child adds because two numbers appeared. Words like 'left', 'gave away' and 'ate' are the signals worth pointing out explicitly.

Sample questions from this worksheet

1. 8 - 8 = ______
2. 15 - 12 = ______

Frequently asked questions

My child adds instead of subtracting in word problems. How do I fix that?

Have them retell the story in their own words before touching the pencil. Once they can say 'she had some and gave some away', the operation follows. Highlighting words like 'left' and 'gave away' also helps.

Should my child count backwards or use addition to subtract?

Either is fine in Grade 1. Counting back suits small differences; 'what plus 3 makes 9?' suits larger ones. Showing both gives your child a choice rather than one fragile method.

Is it a problem that my child writes 4 − 9 instead of 9 − 4?

It is a common early mistake and worth correcting directly: in subtraction the order matters. Modelling it with objects - you cannot take nine buttons from a pile of four - makes the reason obvious.