Full Lyrics
Five take away one is four,
Four is what we're looking for!
Four take away one is three,
Subtracting is as easy as can be!
Three take away one is two,
Subtracting is so fun to do!
Two take away one is one,
And one take away one is none — we're done!
Take away, take away,
We subtract every day!
Start with more and end with less,
Subtraction is the best!
About This Song
The Subtraction Song is a lively educational tune that introduces children to the concept of subtraction through a simple counting-down pattern. By starting from five and removing one each time, kids can visualize the process.
Music is a powerful tool for teaching math concepts. The rhythmic pattern helps children internalize the idea that subtraction means taking away, making it less abstract and more tangible.
This song pairs beautifully with hands-on activities like removing blocks from a stack or crossing out pictures on a worksheet, reinforcing the learning through multiple senses.