Multiplication and division - Add equal groups - Starter

In the "Add equal groups" starter activity designed for Year 1 students, children are introduced to the concept of multiplication as the addition of equal groups. They are presented with a practical question involving tangerines grouped together, prompting them to identify the number of equal groups and how many tangerines are in each group. This foundational exercise helps them visualise and understand multiplication as repeated addition, setting the stage for future mathematical skills. The activity also includes a simple subtraction task, where students practice taking away one number from another, enhancing their fluency in basic arithmetic operations.

Further exercises encourage the young learners to apply their counting and subtraction skills in real-life contexts. They complete sentences based on scenarios, such as the number of birds initially in a tree, how many flew away, and how many remain. This helps them grasp the concept of subtraction through a narrative. Additionally, they are tasked with comparative language exercises, where they use terms like 'heavier', 'lighter', or 'equal to' to describe relationships between objects, reinforcing their understanding of measurement and comparison. These activities are carefully structured to build confidence and competence in both numerical operations and descriptive mathematics.