When teaching subtraction, what is a useful question to pose?

When teaching subtraction, asking "How much is left?" is particularly effective because it directly connects to the concept of taking away or finding the difference between two quantities. This question encourages students to visualize or think about a scenario where something is removed from a total, which is the essence of subtraction.

For instance, if you have a collection of objects and you remove some, asking how much is left allows students to engage with the practical application of subtraction in real-life contexts. It facilitates discussions about quantities decreasing, thus reinforcing their understanding of the operation.

This question also supports students in developing their number sense and helps them relate subtraction to real-world situations, making the concept more relatable and easier to grasp. As they work through different scenarios, they learn to identify what total they start with and how the action of removing items affects that total, which is a fundamental part of understanding subtraction.