Subtraction - Grade 1 Math Worksheet 5 - 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

• Read and complete number sentences with a missing number, such as 8 − ? = 5.
• Subtract within 20 using counting back and taking away from a group.
• 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).

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. 9 − 3 = ______
2. 7 − 2 = ______

Frequently asked questions

What about missing-number questions like 8 − ? = 5?

These look harder but build real flexibility, because your child has to think about the relationship rather than follow a procedure. If they stall, lay out eight objects and remove some until five remain.

Why does my child find subtraction so much harder than addition?

Counting backwards is genuinely harder than counting forwards, and 'taking away' is a less familiar action than joining. Both usually improve with objects to move and short daily practice rather than longer sessions.

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.