Subtraction isn’t a separate topic. It’s connected thinking. If students only see subtraction as “take away,” they’ll default to counting backwards every time. But when we anchor subtraction in part–part–total thinking, students see the relationship: If 8 5 = 13 Then 13 − 8 = 5 That’s not memorising. That’s structure. This is why a strong foundation in the seven addition basic fact strategies matters so much: • Count On • Make 10 • Doubles • Near Doubles • Add Zero • Near 10 • Think 10 When stud