Step 1 — Meet the Mistake
Your creature made an error.
Your creature tried to solve a subtraction equation — and went the wrong way. It subtracted MORE instead of adding back. Time to coach!
Here's what I did…
x − 6 = 11
x = 11 − 6
x = 5 ❌
Step 2 — What Went Wrong?
Find the creature's mistake.
The creature solved x − 6 = 11 and got 5. What mistake did it make?
Step 3 — Teach the Rule
Explain the correct move.
📐 Rule: To undo subtraction, add the same number to both sides.
Use one of the sentence starters below to explain the mistake and the fix.
The creature is almost right because __________.
The mistake is __________.
The correct step is __________.
I know because __________.
To check, I can __________.
Tip: Use a math word like "inverse", "subtract", or "balance" to make your explanation stronger.
Step 4 — Fix the Work
Show the correct solution.
Solve x − 6 = 11 correctly. Undo subtraction → add.
x − 6 = 11
x =
Step 5 — Practice Rounds
Try it yourself — three rounds.
Apply what you taught the creature. Check at least one answer by substituting back in.
1
x − 4 = 9
Check your answer:
13 − 4 = 9 ✓
2
x − 7 = 15
Check your answer:
22 − 7 = 15 ✓
3
x − 12 = 18
Check your answer:
30 − 12 = 18 ✓
Step 6 — Creature Retry
Watch your creature try again.
Your teaching worked! The creature is trying x − 5 = 8 with the correct method.
Let me try using the inverse operation…
x − 5 = 8
x = 8 + 5
x = 13
Did it work? Check by substituting back in.
That helped! I will use the inverse operation from now on. 🎉
🔄
Badge Earned: Subtraction Coach!
You coached your creature through Mission 2. It now knows: Undo subtraction → add.
Reflection: What mistake did your creature stop making today?
Think about: the wrong operation it used, and the correct inverse operation.