If you’ve ever tried teaching regrouping to subtract mixed numbers and felt like your students’ eyes glazed over somewhere between “borrow from the whole” and “write it as an improper fraction,” you’re in good company. Regrouping to subtract mixed numbers is one of those concepts that takes a little modeling, a little patience, and a lot of hands-on practice.
This lesson is one of my absolute favorites for making regrouping to subtract mixed numbers a little easier to understand and a little fun too . It keeps students engaged, gives them multiple chances to practice, and lets you see exactly who’s getting it and who still needs a bit more support.
Here’s how I break down regrouping to subtract mixed numbers:
Mini Lesson: Model Regrouping to Subtract Mixed Numbers
Start by displaying an anchor chart that breaks down the steps for regrouping to subtract mixed numbers. You can use a digital anchor chart like the one below or make your own paper chart while you talk out the steps. Walk students through the process of borrowing from the whole number and converting it into fractional parts so they can subtract without running into fraction trouble.
Students won’t catch on right away, and that is okay. Keep positive and encourage them to keep watching so they can build a little more confidence with each example. Model several problems using a different denominators each time—this helps students see that the regrouping process for regrouping to subtract mixed numbers stays the same, no matter what numbers they’re working with.
Then, give students a new problem and invite them to guide you through the regrouping and subtraction steps.
👉 Pro tip: Intentionally make a mistake or two as you work through it! Students love catching the teacher’s mistakes, and it’s a sneaky way to reinforce their understanding of each step.
Finish this part of the lesson by having students solve one regrouping to subtract mixed numbers problem independently while you circulate and observe. Offer quick interventions or clarifications as needed before moving into partner work.
Cooperative Practice Activity: Back-to-Back Subtraction
Next up—some cooperative fun! Give each student a small dry-erase board or a scrap piece of paper and a marker.
Display a mixed number subtraction problem for the whole class to see. You can pull these from any worksheet or textbook, or you can use ready-made cards like the ones below. Students will:
- Find a partner and copy the problem onto their boards.
- Stand back-to-back to solve it using the regrouping to subtract mixed numbers strategy they just learned.
- On your cue, they’ll turn face-to-face to reveal their answers.
If their answers don’t match, they’ll discuss where they might’ve gone wrong and compare steps. Once everyone’s had a chance to talk it out, reveal the correct answer to the class and briefly review.
Then, have everyone find a new partner for the next round. The mix-up keeps engagement high and gives students more opportunities to verbalize their thinking—something that’s super helpful for solidifying their understanding.
Math Stations: Practice and Play
After the cooperative activity, it’s time to rotate through math stations while you work with a small group on that day’s worksheet assignment.
Here’s what that looks like in my classroom:
Station 1: Mixed Number Golf Game
This one’s always a hit! Students play a partner game called Mixed Number Golf using number tiles labeled 2–9. You can grab copy of these game cards here.
- Player One fills in the blanks of subtraction equations with the number tiles, solves each problem, and records their answers.
- Player Two uses the same game board but tries to create equations with smaller differences.
- Each number (2–9) can only be used once per round.
It’s part strategy, part math practice—and 100% engagement. Students quickly realize that to “win,” they’ve got to really understand how regrouping affects the difference. They’ll also end up working several regrouping to subtract mixed number problems as they use trial and error to find a winning solution.
There are three game boards, so students can rotate and play multiple rounds without it feeling repetitive.
Station 2: Interactive Notebook Foldable – Nurse the Numerator
While some students are playing the game, you can have another group working at their desks on an interactive notebook activity for regrouping to subtract mixed numbers.
I love interactive notebooks as a way for students to keep an ever-growing journal of their math learning. It also serves as a great reteaching tool and study guide that students can look back on if they need a quick refresher of a certain skill.
For this regrouping to subtract mixed numbers interactive notebook entry, have students complete an activity called Nurse the Numerator.
Have students cut out all four flaps and use glue only along the top strip. Students will demonstrate regrouping to subtract mixed numbers underneath each flap.
Students who finish early or those who thrive on creative tasks can use markers to add color and designs to their page.
Station 3: Regrouping to Subtract Mixed Numbers Worksheet
While the rest of the class is rotating through stations, pull a small group to work through the Regroup to Subtract Mixed Numbers worksheet together.
This is your chance to:
- Provide extra modeling for students who are still unsure.
- Reinforce key vocabulary (like whole number, fractional part, regroup, and borrow).
- Offer immediate feedback and support.
Working through problems step-by-step with your guidance helps students build confidence before they try it independently later.
I also enjoy the added bonus of grading these worksheets as groups rotate through. That’s one less stack of papers that ends up on the teacher’s desktop.
Why This Lesson Works
This lesson hits all the right notes for teaching subtracting mixed numbers with regrouping:
- Visual: The anchor chart and modeled examples make the abstract process concrete.
- Interactive: Students learn by talking, doing, and correcting mistakes in real time.
- Collaborative: The partner and station activities keep engagement high and learning social.
- Targeted: Small group time ensures no one falls through the cracks.
By the end, your students won’t just memorize steps—they’ll actually understand why regrouping works and how to apply it to new problems.
If you’re looking for ready-to-use materials for this lesson—anchor charts, practice pages, partner games, and more—you can grab the full Regrouping to Subtract Mixed Numbers resource here. It’s everything you need to teach this concept with confidence and keep your students hooked from start to finish.
For a whole unit of great lessons like this, check out this bundle for Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers.
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Ready for more math ideas? Check out one of these blog posts:
- 6 Math Tips and Tricks for Teaching Equivalent Fractions
- 5 Math Games for Decimals that are Right on Point
- 5 Engaging Activities for Kinesthetic or Tactile Learners in Upper Elementary