Maths help for parents of children aged 5 to 11
There should be no need for using written methods to add two 2-digit numbers.
There should be no need for using written methods to add two 2-digit numbers. That’s the theory and by year 4 children are beginning to have to put this into practice.
Also remember that most of us do a mental calculation in a different order than doing it in writing.
For example: 27 + 35.
I start with the tens and add 20 and 30, then add the 7 and finally add the 5.
Continue reading “Free Y4 maths worksheets: Mentally add two 2-digit numbers”
The second worksheet shows a way that the calculator can be useful to help with maths,
The first of these free maths worksheets looks at the abacus to help with reading 4-digit numbers. Notice that the question asks for the numbers to be written in figures and in words. Figures should be easy – words might be harder. Continue reading “Free Y4 maths worksheets: Partition into ThHTU”
Now we are coming on to more familiar territory for most people when we think of graphs: the bar chart or bar graph. Here the vertical bars represent the number of people going out on a boat. Each bar is completely separate from the others.
It is important that children get used to naming the horizontal and vertical axes and that these axes should always be named.
The hardest part of interpreting this bar chart involves the number of people shown on the vertical axis. Continue reading “Free Y4 maths worksheets: Bar charts”
Free Y4 maths worksheets: Complete number sentences
Two maths worksheets dealing with addition and subtraction of a single digit to a 3-digit number. Unlike traditional sums different parts of the number sentence are missing.
For example: one question is 584 + ? = 593.
This can be done in several ways, counting on 6 from 584 to 590 and then another 3 to 593 probably being the most effective.
The last 5 questions on both sheets ask for a quick explanation of the method used. Make sure that this is done as it can reveal a great deal about the way your child is thinking about numbers.
Free Y4 maths worksheets: More than/lessthan
Writing a number one less than another 4-digit number appears to be easy, but a good understanding of place value is needed for these. It can get tricky around the hundreds or thousands boundaries eg one less than 9000 or one less than 2 600. Continue reading “Free Y4 maths worksheets: More than/lessthan”
Free Y4 maths worksheet: Counting around the thousands
In order for children to be really confident with handling numbers it is very important that they continue to have a great deal of practice in counting forwards and backwards in ones, tens and hundreds. This might appear quite simple for year 4 children, but they can still be unsure of what happens as they cross the hundreds or thousands boundaries.
The first page shows what happens when crossing the thousands, whilst the second is some revision of finding one more than or one less than a number. It is a good idea to do these verbally as well as writing the number down, to check that they are reading the numbers correctly.
Free Y4 maths worksheet: Using metric units
Scales are needed to carry out the activities on this worksheet which concentrates on using grams and kilograms. For measuring in grams ordinary kitchen scales are fine. Again, before measuring make an estimate. This is where cooking really comes into its own for maths activities. Measuring out ingredients for cakes, weighing pasta etc, measuring the amount of water to cook rice in – the list is endless.
More difficult is weighing in kilograms. Here a set of bathroom scales is better – but make sure they are using metric and not imperial measures. A good practical example is to weigh a suitcase before travelling abroad to make sure that it is under the baggage limit.
Continue reading “Free Y4 maths worksheet: Using metric units”
Free Y4 maths worksheets: Use known facts to add or subtract
In Year 4 children are expected to be able to calculate mentally using a variety of methods. They are also expected to be able to explain their methods, both orally and in writing.
One skill they are expected to accomplish is to add a single digit to a 3-digit number, crossing the tens boundary. eg 365 + 7 =.
When explaining this orally they might say, “I added 5 to make 370 then added the extra 2 to make 372”.
These two free maths worksheets explore adding a single digit and give the opportunity to explain the method used in writing.
I rather like these two worksheets for year 4 children. After the question there ia a table to complete which asks not just for the answer, but also for other information.
The Operation box requires what method was used: addition, subtraction, multiplication or division.
The Method box requires how it was done; either mentally or on paper eg “I did this in my head because I know my 4 times table.”
The How box asks for the reason why the method was used: eg ” I divided by 4 because there were 4 equal chapters”.
This really makes children think what they are doing and is a great aid later when asked to explain orally their methods.
Free Y4 maths worksheet: Choose the operation and the method (pg 3)
Free Y4 maths worksheet: Choose the operation and the method (pg 4)
Free Y4 maths worksheets: Revise 2-D shape
Here are a couple of worksheets to help year 4 children revise their knowledge of the properties of 2-D shapes. They should be able to recognise the most common triangles: equilateral, isosceles and scalene as well as most 4 sided shapes. Many maths books only show regular shapes eg a hexagon with equal sides, and many children do not realise that a hexagon does not have to have six equal sides – just six sides.