Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-for-primary-subtraction-methods-for-ks2-maths-seneca-certified/1-1-1-introduction-to-the-course-and-common-questions

[Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [Teacher CPD](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd.md) › [CPD for Primary: Subtraction Methods for KS2 Maths - Seneca Certified](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-for-primary-subtraction-methods-for-ks2-maths-seneca-certified.md) › Introduction to the Course & Common Questions

# Introduction to the Course & Common Questions

CPD for Primary: Subtraction Methods for KS2 Maths (by Jo Morgan), topic 1.1.1

## Deciding Which Methods to Use

If you're deciding whether or not to use a method, ask yourself the following questions to help determine whether it's a good method for you or not.

### Do you understand why it works?

[GIF: Do you understand why it works?](https://media.giphy.com/media/25QbQdrFvFAMcPKq24/giphy.mp4)

### Is the method easy to explain?

[GIF: Is the method easy to explain?](https://media.giphy.com/media/Rl9Yqavfj2Ula/giphy.mp4)

- Will pupils understand how it works?

### Is the procedure easy to remember?

[GIF: Is the procedure easy to remember?](https://media.giphy.com/media/yifTRs3TidIju/giphy.mp4)

- Multi-step algorithms will probably need a lot more practice than more intuitive methods.

### Are there misconceptions?

[GIF: Are there misconceptions?](https://media.giphy.com/media/3oKIP8quIMUnLdfTAQ/giphy.mp4)

- Does the method lead to common misconceptions? How will you deal with that?

### Efficient? Intuitive?

[GIF: Efficient? Intuitive?](https://media.giphy.com/media/q4P7Nz6TyjfO0/giphy.mp4)

- Is the method efficient? Is it elegant? Is it intuitive? Would you use it yourself?

### Does it have future application?

[GIF: Does it have future application?](https://media.giphy.com/media/l0CRCmMBYQbL7dCmI/giphy.mp4)

- Does your chosen method hold for maths you will teach in the future? Will it need to be replaced when the problems become more complex?

### Who chooses?

[GIF: Who chooses?](https://media.giphy.com/media/pFQskqO4UBTEs/giphy.mp4)

- Do you want to select methods for your pupils, or allow them to choose? If you intend to give them some choice, do you want this decision being taken at a whole-class level or an individual level?

### Consistency?

[GIF: Consistency?](https://media.giphy.com/media/vtf0uP1bwXBg4/giphy.mp4)

- Do you want consistency of methods within your school? Does it matter? Consider what happens if pupils change teachers.

### What methods do students use?

[GIF: What methods do students use?](https://media.giphy.com/media/1WbJnEhCpZTThmzFTz/giphy.mp4)

- Do your pupils use an online homework platform? Do they use textbooks? Are your chosen methods consistent with the methods pupils will see elsewhere? Does it matter?

## Test yourself on Introduction to the Course & Common Questions

- Who or what should determine which teaching methods are best for you to use?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/eab4f483-2118-4224-8daa-b5f64232f209/section/fcb2292f-ef2a-44a7-a096-90e007ce346a/session)

- Next topic: [2.1.1 Method A - Decomposition Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-for-primary-subtraction-methods-for-ks2-maths-seneca-certified/2-1-1-method-a-decomposition-method.md)

## CPD for Primary: Subtraction Methods for KS2 Maths (by Jo Morgan) contents

### 1 Course Overview
- 1.1 Course Structure & Commonly Asked Questions
  - [1.1.1 Introduction to the Course & Common Questions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-for-primary-subtraction-methods-for-ks2-maths-seneca-certified/1-1-1-introduction-to-the-course-and-common-questions.md)

### 2 Subtraction Methods
- 2.1 Subtraction Methods
  - [2.1.1 Method A - Decomposition Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-for-primary-subtraction-methods-for-ks2-maths-seneca-certified/2-1-1-method-a-decomposition-method.md)
  - [2.1.2 Method B - Equal Addition Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-for-primary-subtraction-methods-for-ks2-maths-seneca-certified/2-1-2-method-b-equal-addition-method.md)
  - [2.1.3 Method C - Expanded Form Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-for-primary-subtraction-methods-for-ks2-maths-seneca-certified/2-1-3-method-c-expanded-form-method.md)
  - [2.1.4 Method D - Partitioning Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-for-primary-subtraction-methods-for-ks2-maths-seneca-certified/2-1-4-method-d-partitioning-method.md)
  - [2.1.5 Method E - Counting-Up Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-for-primary-subtraction-methods-for-ks2-maths-seneca-certified/2-1-5-method-e-counting-up-method.md)
  - [2.1.6 Method F - Constant Difference Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-for-primary-subtraction-methods-for-ks2-maths-seneca-certified/2-1-6-method-f-constant-difference-method.md)
  - [2.1.7 Method G - Partial Differences Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-for-primary-subtraction-methods-for-ks2-maths-seneca-certified/2-1-7-method-g-partial-differences-method.md)
  - [2.1.8 Method H - Complementary Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-for-primary-subtraction-methods-for-ks2-maths-seneca-certified/2-1-8-method-h-complementary-method.md)
  - [2.1.9 Method I - Nines Complement Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-for-primary-subtraction-methods-for-ks2-maths-seneca-certified/2-1-9-method-i-nines-complement-method.md)