Place value - Rounding to the nearest 1,000 - Planning

In a Year 4 mathematics lesson focused on place value, students are introduced to the concept of rounding numbers to the nearest 1,000. The lesson begins with a starter activity that recaps previous learning and sets the stage for the day's objective. Students are guided to use a number line to determine the position of a number relative to multiples of 1,000. Key vocabulary such as 'round up', 'round down', 'nearest', 'between', and 'digits' is emphasised, with additional resources like vocabulary cards and definitions available for reinforcement. The class teaching input involves rhymes that help students remember the rules of rounding, such as "5 to 9 climb the vine, 0 to 4 slide to the floor," which simplifies the decision-making process when determining whether to round a number up or down.

During independent learning, children engage in activities that allow them to practice rounding numbers to the nearest 1,000 with the aid of various representations, including place value counters and number lines. Practical resources are encouraged to support their understanding of the concept. For example, students can use Base 10 or place value counters to visually represent numbers on a number line, helping them to see which thousand a number is closest to. The lesson also includes a plenary with reasoning questions where students must identify mistakes in rounding numbers in real-world contexts, such as car advertisements. The lesson plan caters to different levels of understanding, with worksheets designed for those working towards expected levels and those aiming for greater depth, where the use of a number line is phased out in favour of mental rounding strategies.