Addition and Subtraction Sometimes Always Never

In a series of engaging mathematical activities titled "Sometimes, Always, Never," Year 6 students are encouraged to explore and deepen their understanding of addition and subtraction. The task involves a set of statements that students must classify as being either sometimes true, always true, or never true. The exercise not only tests their numerical skills but also promotes critical thinking as they are urged to provide examples and counterexamples to support their reasoning. For statements that are only sometimes true, students face the extra challenge of explaining the conditions under which the statements hold and are tasked with rephrasing them to make them universally or never applicable. This activity serves as an excellent starter to lessons, allowing children to utilise and expand their mathematical vocabulary while examining key concepts.

The "Sometimes, Always, Never" statements cover a range of scenarios, from the number of digits in the result of a calculation involving numbers with different digit lengths, to the number of exchanges needed when subtracting large numbers. Students are also prompted to consider the efficiency of written methods when adding 5-digit numbers, the outcomes of adding four numbers together, and the sum of four even numbers. Additional statements address the importance of column placement when adding multiple numbers, the result of adding three consecutive numbers, the sum of a positive and a negative number, and the potential for subtraction to yield a negative result. Through this exercise, students engage with the intricacies of arithmetic operations, enhancing their problem-solving abilities and conceptual grasp of mathematics.