Addition and Subtraction - Estimate answers - Planning

In a Year 4 mathematics lesson focused on Addition and Subtraction, students are encouraged to develop their estimation skills. The lesson's objective is to teach children how to round numbers and use these estimates to solve addition and subtraction calculations, as well as worded problems. To kick off the lesson, teachers will revisit rounding rules with the class, employing memorable rhymes to help children remember when to round up or down. Practical resources like number lines, base 10 blocks, and place value counters, along with worksheets and a presentation, are used to visually support the students' understanding of the concept of rounding to the nearest 10, 100, or 1,000.

During the class, students engage in various activities that require them to match addition calculations with their estimated results by rounding the numbers involved. For instance, they might round 495 + 1,495 to the nearest 100 to get an estimated sum of 500 + 1,500. The lesson also includes partner work, where students discuss the most appropriate level of rounding for different scenarios, reinforcing the idea that the best estimate is the one closest to the original number. The lesson concludes with a plenary where students reflect on what they have learned, the skills they have used, and what they found challenging. Differentiated worksheets cater to varying levels of understanding, from those who are 'working towards' and can handle simpler rounding, to those 'working at greater depth' who manage more complex calculations involving three numbers.