Saxon Math Kindergarten, Section 4: Subtraction Concepts & Measurement
In this unit, your child is introduced to taking away and to measuring. Kindergartners act out and draw stories where some things leave and find how many remain, then compare objects to see which is longer, taller, or heavier. Following the first adding and teen-number work, subtraction completes the pair, and the final part of the year moves on to counting to 100 and solid shapes.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Section 4?
- Showing taking away by removing objects or crossing out drawings, and writing equations with the minus sign, like 6 - 2 = 4. Learn more about showing addition in many ways: Showing addition in many ways · Learn more about showing subtraction in many ways
- Describing objects by what can be measured, such as how long, how tall, or how heavy they are. Learn more: Describing how long or heavy things are
- Comparing two objects directly to tell which is longer, taller, or heavier, and saying the difference in words. Learn more: Comparing which is longer, taller, or heavier
Sample questions to try together
These are real questions from our practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
Start at 7 and hop back 2. Where do you land?
- 2
- 9
- 5
How you can help
- Put 6 spoons on the table, take some away while your child watches, and ask how many are left and how to write it with a minus sign.
- Stand two cereal boxes side by side on the counter, then hold one in each hand, and ask your child which is taller and which is heavier.
- Line up your shoe and your child's shoe with their heels even, and talk about which is longer and how you can tell.
Where kids can get stuck
- Ignoring the minus sign and adding both numbers, so 6 - 2 becomes 8.
- Drawing 6 circles and 2 more circles for 6 - 2, instead of crossing out 2 of them.
- Describing every difference as 'big,' instead of saying taller, longer, or heavier.
Practice makes perfect
Bobby's Math Club has practice problems that adapt to your child’s level, each with a detailed explanation and an easy-to-follow video, so your child can build confidence in these skills one step at a time.
Words your child will hear
- subtract
- To take some away from a group and find how many are left.
- take away
- To remove some things from a group.
- minus sign
- The - sign, which means take away.
- left
- How many remain after some are taken away.
- length
- How long something is from one end to the other.
- longer
- Stretching further from end to end than something else.
- taller
- Reaching higher from the floor than something else.
- heavier
- Weighing more; harder to lift.
Want to help your child master subtraction and measuring?
In Bobby's Math Club, your child practices these skills at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free.
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Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
Which math standards does Saxon Math Kindergarten Section 4 cover?
Saxon Math Kindergarten Section 4 covers these math standards. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
For teachers: Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence. Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow.