Overview

An engaging 20-minute lesson designed for Year 4 students to consolidate their understanding of addition, subtraction, and multiplication. This lesson aligns with the National Curriculum for England (Year 4 Mathematics Programme of Study) and incorporates problem-solving and reasoning skills through practical activities and a targeted worksheet.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, the pupil will be able to:

• Add and subtract numbers with up to 4 digits, using formal written methods of columnar addition and subtraction where appropriate (NC Year 4 Number - Addition and subtraction).
• Recall multiplication tables up to 12 × 12 with confidence and perform multiplication using formal written methods where appropriate (NC Year 4 Number - Multiplication and division).
• Solve multi-step word problems involving addition, subtraction, and multiplication, including those with missing numbers or variables (NC Year 4 Number - Problem solving and reasoning).

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Resources

• Whiteboard and pen
• Prepared worksheet (see attached below for pupil)
• Pencil and rubber
• Place value counters or number cards (optional, for visual support)

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Lesson Structure

Introduction (3 minutes)

• Briefly review key vocabulary: addition, subtraction, multiplication, sum, difference, product.
• Ask quick-fire mental questions to activate prior knowledge, e.g., 345 + 278, 960 – 675, 7 × 8.
• Explain that today the pupil will practise using these operations and apply them to solve word problems.

Main Teaching (10 minutes)

1. Addition & Subtraction Recap (4 mins):

   • Model one example of column addition and one of subtraction on the board, e.g.:
     • 5678 + 2345
     • 8324 – 4597
   • Talk aloud about carrying/borrowing strategies.
   • Explain checking answers by inverse operations.

2. Multiplication Focus (3 mins):

   • Review quick recall of times tables up to 12 (emphasis on 6, 7, 8, 9, 12).
   • Model one multiplication using the formal written method: e.g., 123 × 7.
   • Highlight placing the digits correctly and multiplying stepwise.

3. Word Problems Introduction (3 mins):

   • Read a problem aloud and discuss steps to solve it.
   • Example: “Sarah has 245 stickers. She buys 132 more and then gives 78 to her friend. How many stickers does she have now?”
   • Emphasise identifying when to add/subtract/multiply.

Independent Activity (5 minutes)

• Pupil completes the worksheet focusing on addition, subtraction, multiplication calculations, and word problems.
• Encourage writing working out clearly.

Plenary (2 minutes)

• Review answers together.
• Praise strategies used and clarify misunderstandings.
• Encourage pupil to explain one problem they found tricky and how they solved it.

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Assessment

• Informal assessment through observation of working methods during the activity.
• Worksheet answers to check procedural fluency and reasoning skills.
• Note correct use of formal methods and clarity of problem-solving steps.

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Extension/Support Ideas

• Extension: Challenge with simple division problems related to multiplication (e.g., inverse operations) or multi-step word problems with larger numbers.
• Support: Use number lines or counters for addition/subtraction, times table chants or apps for multiplication recall.

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Worksheet: Addition, Subtraction & Multiplication

1. Calculate:
   a) 2743 + 3678 = _____
   b) 6891 – 4529 = _____
   c) 126 × 9 = _____

2. Solve these word problems:

   a) Tom has 1,385 marbles. He gave 479 to his friend. How many marbles does Tom have left?

   b) A baker made 342 cakes on Monday and 275 cakes on Tuesday. How many cakes did he make in total?

   c) Each pack contains 24 pencils. How many pencils are there in 13 packs?

3. Multi-step problem:
   Jenny bought 4 boxes of chocolates. Each box has 18 chocolates. She ate 15 chocolates and gave 20 to her friends. How many chocolates does Jenny have left?

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This lesson plan is designed to fully engage Year 4 pupils in strengthening key arithmetic skills aligned with the National Curriculum. It combines clear modelling, active practice, and real-life problems to solidify understanding while developing confidence in formal written methods and problem-solving.