Addition and subtraction - Estimate numbers - Starter

In an engaging starter activity designed for Year 3 pupils during their Autumn Term, children are encouraged to become 'Fluent in Four' by revising their addition and subtraction skills. The exercise includes a variety of problems that require pupils to calculate and estimate numbers confidently. For instance, they are prompted to multiply sixteen by five and seven by two, with the answers being 80 and 14 respectively. These calculations serve as a warm-up to the day's learning, ensuring that students are comfortable with basic arithmetic operations.

The activity further challenges pupils with a subtraction problem involving three-digit numbers, where they must determine the result of subtracting 129 from 345, which equals 216. This is visualised using place value counters to aid in understanding the concept of hundreds, tens, and ones. Additionally, students are presented with a real-life scenario where they must calculate change; Cara has £10, spends £6 and 42p, and pupils must work out that she will receive £3 and 58p back. To enhance their spatial awareness, children are also asked to draw the outcome of an arrow after it has made various turns, such as half, quarter, three quarters, or a full turn, in either clockwise or anticlockwise directions. This multifaceted approach to learning ensures that pupils apply mathematical concepts in different contexts, reinforcing their understanding and problem-solving skills.