Singapore Math Method for Compensation Subtraction

After years of doing intervention work with subtraction across a zero, I was so excited when I learned about compensation subtraction.  It's also called constant difference.  It helped so many kids and it wasn't just a trick.  They understood why they were doing it!

When I taught larger numbers, I generally reverted to the traditional method, or used many steps.  After spending a really fun week in Cleveland, MS, Lon Hayes sent me an email describing this method of compensation subtraction with larger numbers.  Thanks so much Lon!!

Try this with your class and let me know how it goes!