Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division - Common Factors - Starter

In an engaging and challenging maths session designed for Year 6 students during the Autumn term's sixth week, the focus is on developing fluency in key mathematical operations through a variety of exercises. The lesson starts with a 'Fluent in Four' revision activity, where students brush up on their skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The tasks are structured to stimulate quick thinking and reinforce mental arithmetic proficiency. For example, students are asked to calculate the volume of a solid, a task that requires an understanding of three-dimensional shapes and their properties. They are also invited to create their own bar models to solve given calculations, which helps them visualise mathematical concepts and improve problem-solving abilities.

Additionally, the lesson includes a component on identifying common factors, where students are tasked with filling in the missing factors of the number 24 in various equations. This exercise not only reinforces multiplication and division skills but also deepens the understanding of number relationships and factorisation. Students are presented with a series of incomplete equations involving the number 24 and are required to deduce the missing numbers that would complete each equation correctly. By engaging with these exercises, students enhance their numerical fluency and their ability to work with factors, an essential skill for tackling more complex mathematical problems. The versatility of the tasks ensures that students are simultaneously challenged and supported in their learning journey.