Subtraction ! ! app review

Introduction

Subtraction ! ! is an iPad and iPhone app for assisting with learning the patterns of subtraction. This is a skill that is difficult for students to master, as borrowing is a fairly complex idea. This app requires students to use their own minds to solve the problem, and assists with borrowing. I still start my students with pencil and paper, and even though the repetition was there simply because we kept practicing, the visual cue of the green block in the app has helped a lot.

The best iPhone apps for learning Math 2021

Why Use A Math App?

Subtraction ! ! is a great app for helping with the visual organization. I always teach math on grid paper to assist my students with lining up the ones, tens, hundreds, and so on, but this app takes it a step further in that there is a green square to cue them as to where to put the next number.

The best iPhone apps for learning Math

Additionally, if the student is stuck and can’t remember the next step, there is a hint button that will ask them a clue question such as ‘you need to borrow’ or ‘what is 5-1’? This keeps the students trying, and not feeling discouraged.

When first starting out, if the parent has forgotten how to do subtraction, there is a tutorial section. It has both the green block, and completes the question step by step, fairly slowly so that the student can keep up provided they have mastered their mind math subtraction facts.

Do The Kids Like It?

Most importantly, do the kids like Subtraction ! !? Yes. They like using technology period rather than what they feel is tedious paper work. There is definitely still a need for pencil and paper, and we alternate in our practice. There is however, also a need to be fluent with technology. It isn’t going anywhere, and it would be negligent to not have instruction with technology as well.

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The app provides visual cues, which simply pointing to the next step doesn’t provide. It is always fascinating to me to see students who I have been working with for weeks on subtraction with borrowing using pencil and paper, try the app and have it all click. I love the ‘ah ha!’ moment, and this app has helped many of my students achieve that. When we then go back to pencil and paper, they know what they need to do, crossing off the numbers that they are finished with for visual cues, or moving a button.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Free with ads, but not pop-ups
• Green box guiding where the next answer goes
• Hint button to assist if you get stuck
• Tutorial to show how to do the question if the assisting adult cannot remember

Cons

• No notes option to jot things beside the question so you need a scrap paper

Final Thoughts

Subtraction ! ! is an iPad and iPhone app that really helps students master borrowing in the subtraction questions with simple visual cues. It has helped several of my students who were struggling with pencil and paper, and they have now gone back to the paper and can answer the questions that they were struggling with. I would recommend this app to any student Grade 2 and up who is having difficulty with subtraction skills.