Maths Learning - Week Beginning 13th October 2014

This week we have been looking at different methods for subtraction.  We have counted back in 10s from a range of starting points and begun to apply this to subtraction on a number line.  Counting back over numbers like 100 or 80 is often a challenge for this age group, but the key is lots of practice.  To practice at home, pick a two digit number such as 54 and count back in 10s: 44, 34, 24, 14, 4.  If your child finds this hard try counting forwards first and then try again backwards until they can do it.  On the other hand if it is easy try counting back in 10s from a three or four digit number especially where it crosses a hundreds boundary, for example: 1046, 1036, 1026, 1016, 1006, 996, etc.
The other skills we have been looking at is how to add or subtract quickly and efficiently over 10s boundaries.  For example:  Can the children work out 7+9 without counting on their fingers?  The next step will be to transfer this skill to harder questions such as 36+8 or 97+9 or even 678+25.