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Number Bonds & Shapes

Other • Year 4 • 30 • 1 students • Created with AI following Aligned with National Curriculum for England

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Other
4Year 4
30
1 students
22 November 2025

Teaching Instructions

That's an excellent idea. Numeracy is a priority area for Ruby, as she is working significantly below age expectations (PKS 4 for maths at the end of Year 2). The EHCP specifically mandates the use of:

Precision Teaching (for fluency/automaticity). Small steps approach, chunking, and over-learning. Concrete materials (manipulatives). Targeting basic knowledge and life skills(shapes, time, money). Here is a detailed, 40-minute Maths block lesson plan incorporating all these elements, designed to be repeated and practiced daily.

🔢 Numeracy Lesson Plan: Number Bonds & Basic Skills Overall Target: Ruby will recall addition facts up to 10 (number bonds) with 90% accuracy in short, timed sessions, 3 times daily.

 Time Activity Strategy Focus (EHCP Link) Resources Needed 5 mins I. Precision Teaching (Fluency Drill) Precision Teaching: Short, timed practice for automaticity/fluency. Number Bond Flashcards (e.g., 7+3, 2+8), Timer, Tracking Chart(record correct/incorrect answers). 15 mins II. Concrete Concept Introduction: Number Bonds to 10 Concrete Materials; Explicit Instruction; Chunking:Introduce the skill using physical objects first. Unifix Cubes/Connecting Blocks (10 of two different colours), Part-Whole Mat (a simple drawn graphic). 5 mins III. Movement/Regulation Break Regulating activities: Low-verbal movement to aid attention (ADHD). Music (for movement), Space(for gymnastics-style stretches). 10 mins IV. Life Skill Focus: Basic Shapes Targeted Intervention (Basic Knowledge):Address confusion between basic shape names. Tangible Shapes(blocks, shape sorter, or cut-out cardboard shapes: square, triangle, circle), Shape Hunt Task Board. 5 mins V. Review and Meta-Cognition Review; Meta-Cognition; Self-Esteem: Checking work and building confidence. Task Board, Sticker/Stamp (for success), Home-School Book. 🧠 Detailed Activity Breakdown I. Precision Teaching (5 Minutes) Goal: To build fluency in number facts (e.g., all combinations that make 10: 1+9, 2+8, etc.). Method: Present a stack of 20-30 flashcards with number bond questions (e.g., 6 + 4 = ?). Set the timer for one minute. Ruby answers as many as she can. Record the number correct and incorrect (this is the core of Precision Teaching). Crucially: Repeat this drill three timesthroughout the day (e.g., morning, before lunch, end of day). The goal is to see the correct score climb daily. II. Concrete Concept Introduction: Number Bonds to 10 (15 Minutes) Goal: To understand that a "whole" number (10) can be broken into "parts." Step 1: Explore the Whole (Concrete) Give Ruby 10 Unifix Cubes. Have her count them out. This is the Whole. Step 2: Partitioning (Concrete) Ask her to split the 10 cubes into two different colours (e.g., 7 Red, 3 Blue). Say: "You have 10 cubes. The parts are 7 and 3. So, 7 plus 3 makes 10." Have her physically place the blocks onto the Part-Whole Mat to visually represent the equation. Step 3: Pictorial Representation Ask Ruby to draw a simple circle (the Whole) and two smaller circles (the Parts). She draws 7 dots in one part and 3 dots in the other. Step 4: Abstract Representation (Scaffolding) Finally, write the numeral equation: 7 + 3 = 10. Over-learning: Repeat this process with 5 different combinations (e.g., 5+5, 8+2, 1+9), using the blocks every single time until she can predict the answer without them. IV. Life Skill Focus: Basic Shapes (10 Minutes) Goal: Correctly identify and name basic shapes, specifically differentiating between Square, Triangle, and Circle (as she mixes them up). Task Board (Chunking): Look at the shape (Adult names it). Trace the shape with your finger (How many sides?). Find the matching shape in the room. Activity: Shape Hunt (Generalisation) Show Ruby a square block. Let her hold it and trace its sides. Say: "This is a Square. It has four equal sides." Use the Task Board to guide a search: "Step 3: Find a square in the room." (A book, a windowpane). Repeat the same explicit naming and tracing for Triangle and Circle. Motivation/Interest: Ask her to use the shapes to build something she likes, such as a "Cat House" (using a square and a triangle for the roof). V. Review and Meta-Cognition (5 Minutes) Review the work on her Task Board. Meta-Cognition Prompt: "Let's look at your math problem. Are you sure 6 + 4 is 10? How can you check? (Wait for her to reach for the cubes/blocks.) That's a great strategy for checking your answer!" Self-Esteem: Give specific praise: "You worked so hard today. I saw you stick with the blocks even when the counting was tricky. That shows great focus!" Record this positive comment in the home-school book. This structured plan addresses the 'how' of teaching (Precision, Concrete, Chunking) while covering two essential targets (Fluency and Basic Skills) in an engaging, manageable way.

Would you like me to create a plan for addressing her Anxiety/Separation Distressand improving her Emotional Literacy next, which is crucial for her to be "ready to learn"?

Overview

This highly targeted 30-minute session supports a Year 4 learner working below age expectations (roughly Year 2 PKS4 maths standard) focusing on number bonds to 10, basic shapes, and foundational numeracy life skills. Grounded in the National Curriculum for Maths (Statutory requirements for Key Stage 2 Number and Geometry), this lesson incorporates Precision Teaching, small steps, chunking, manipulatives, and over-learning as per the child’s EHCP.

Learning Objectives (WALT)

  • WALT recall and retrieve number bonds to 10 fluently (NC Year 2 Number - Addition and subtraction)
  • WALT understand and represent number bonds using concrete materials, pictorial, and abstract methods (NC Year 2 Number - Addition and subtraction)
  • WALT identify, name and describe basic 2D shapes (square, triangle, circle), recognising sides and vertices (NC Year 2 Geometry - Properties of shapes)
  • WALT apply learning to everyday contexts (money, shape recognition) to develop life skills (tailored from KPIs in KS1 maths)

Success Criteria

  • Can accurately answer at least 90% of number bond flashcards within one minute
  • Can build number bonds to 10 physically using blocks and record pictorially and numerically
  • Can confidently name and describe properties of square, triangle and circle
  • Can identify these shapes in the environment and explain differences verbally
  • Shows positive engagement and autonomy in verification of answers

Resources

  • Number bond flashcards (simple sums making 10)
  • Timer/stopwatch
  • Unifix cubes in two contrasting colours (minimum 10)
  • Part-whole mat (hand-drawn or printed)
  • Shape blocks or cardboard cut-outs: square, triangle, circle
  • Shape hunt task board (simple visual stepwise prompts)
  • Sticker or stamp for success marking
  • Home-school communication book for feedback
  • Dyslexia-friendly worksheets with large, clear font (e.g. Comic Sans or Sassoon Primary)
  • Pencil and paper for pictorial and abstract work

Differentiation & Inclusion

  • For extra support: Use multisensory approaches (verbal, visual, tactile). Provide step-by-step visual instructions on a laminated card. Reduce number of flashcards in fluency drill initially. Allow physical tracing over shapes with finger before naming.
  • For advanced learners: Challenge with number bonds to 20 or simple corresponding subtraction facts. Introduce irregular shapes (pentagon, hexagon) and ask to compare properties. Use timed extension flashcards to increase speed gradually.
  • Dyslexia-friendly support: Provide reading passages/sentences accompanying shapes with simple language and high contrast text. Use coloured overlays if preferred.

Lesson Breakdown

1. Precision Teaching: Number Bonds Fluency (5 mins)

Strategy Focus: Precision Teaching for automaticity (EHCP)

  • Explain briefly: “We are seeing how many number bonds to 10 you can solve in one minute.”
  • Present prepared flashcards (e.g., 7+3, 6+4, 2+8) one-by-one. Use a timer.
  • Child answers orally or writes answers. Record correct/incorrect to track progress.
  • Encourage self-checking with blocks if unsure. Praise effort and progress.

2. Concrete Concept Introduction: Number Bonds to 10 (15 mins)

Strategy Focus: Concrete manipulatives, chunking, overlearning

  • Present 10 unifix cubes as the “Whole”. Count together to reinforce concept.
  • Partition the 10 cubes into two colours (e.g., 7 red + 3 blue). Place on part-whole mat.
  • Verbally reinforce: “7 and 3 are parts, together they make the whole 10.”
  • Repeat several partitions: 5+5, 8+2, 1+9 with repetition for overlearning.
  • Move to pictorial: Draw the whole circle and two parts, planting dots for each part (support writing if needed).
  • Finally, write the numeric addition equation (e.g., 7 + 3 = 10). Provide scaffolding for correct numeral formation if necessary.
  • Use questioning to check understanding: “What happens if we add 3 and 7 cubes?”

3. Movement/Regulation Break (3 mins)

Strategy Focus: Regulation and engagement (EHCP)

  • Play a quick movement game or stretching exercise to refresh attention (e.g., follow-the-leader stretches, finger wiggles).

4. Life Skill Focus: Basic Shapes (7 mins)

Strategy Focus: Targeted intervention into shape naming, chunking, real-world links

  • Show each shape one by one. Name it clearly with a simple sentence: “This is a square. It has 4 equal sides.”
  • Trace the shape sides together with finger, counting sides, observing vertices.
  • Use the shape hunt task board: “Find a square in the room,” then “Find a triangle,” then “Find a circle.”
  • Allow child to hold and build a simple “cat house” using shapes (square base, triangle roof) to foster engagement and meaning.
  • Discuss differences: “How is a triangle different from a circle?”

5. Review and Meta-Cognition (5 mins)

Strategy Focus: Self-monitoring, confidence building

  • Review number bonds and shape work using the task board. Ask child to check answers or “show me how you know this is correct.”
  • Praise and feedback: “You’ve worked really hard and improved your speed. I’m proud of how you used the blocks to check yourself.”
  • Stamp or sticker for success. Record positive comment in home-school book.
  • Brief discussion about what was easy/difficult and what can be done next time.

Assessment

  • Informal assessment through Precision Teaching score tracking (daily)
  • Observation during concrete activities to gauge understanding and accuracy
  • Verbal questioning during shape identification and subitising
  • Review of pictorial and numeric work for correct formation and representation

Notes for Home-Education Context

  • Repetition at consistent intervals (three times daily for flashcards) recommended for fluency development
  • Visual timetable with steps could support independence and predictability
  • Encourage informal shape and number conversation during daily activities (shopping, cooking) to generalise skills

This lesson offers a rich, research-based, curriculum-aligned programme supporting numeracy fluency and foundational skills with explicit use of concrete learning methods and personalised pacing for accelerated progress.

If desired, I can also create a complementary plan targeting anxiety regulation and emotional literacy to build readiness to learn effectively.

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