Blake is 2nd grade. He seems like he understands how to subtract with borrowing. But many times he somehow makes a way for 5-7 to = 2 (or something like that, in a larger 3 digit type problem). When I point out his mistake he corrects it on his own, but yesterday he did a whole group of 5 problems that way, oops! Any suggestions on how to help him understand better so he dosen't make that mistake?

No suggestions, but my 9 year old and 7 year old do the same thing. I have to remind them to subtract the bottom number from the top. I'll be watching this thread with interest.

Zachary is in 2nd and does something similiar. Yesterday he asked me if 8-13=5. I just remind him that he can't subtract a larger number from a smaller without ending up with a negative answer. He's doing that sometimes and also not showing his work when he carries and then misses it sometimes b/c he forgot he carried already (LOL)

Sometimes going back to a visual manipulative, like a number line, will help. Also, having the child say it outloud while solving or putting the numbers into a word problem sentence; "If I had 5 cookies, could I give away 8 of them?"

BIGGER BOTTOM? BETTER BORROW! ;)

:lol: I'll have to try that!