Just Don't Do It!

Just returned from a timely conference. We spent a whole day discussing Common Core Math and sequencing learning for children in elementary mathematics instruction. One issue being discussed caught my attention since it has been a thorny, ongoing "problem" at our school. Subtraction with re-grouping. Need I say more? Second grade teachers would teach it. Students wouldn't be able to do it in third grade. Third grade teachers would teach it. Students wouldn't be able to do it. Fourth grade teachers would teach it and so on.

What is going on here? Why weren't our children learning to subtract? The concept didn't seem that difficult. The regrouping seemed insurmountable. What's up?

One thing suggested was that first grade teachers  not teach double digit subraction at all. Leave subtraction to second grade. That way, students can start with an understanding that students are taking a group away from another group. Their strategy was to circle the top number, regroup every column where needed and then subtract (at this point, students can move left to right or right to left).
Also important was the use of counter, or manipulatives to reinforce the concept of subtaction and place value. This makes sense and hopefully will avoid students subtracting the smaller number from the larger number, no matter where is lies.

So, first grade teachers, Just Don't Do It!