Number Steps - Up and Down in Multiple Steps

Number Steps - Up and Down in Multiple Steps

This series of lessons includes counting up and down in steps and using strategies to calculate what step a sequence is using. Pupils look at the difference between numbers to work out missing digits. One lesson has a counting coins context and others link regular number steps to multiplication.

Much of this work is carried out on numberlines but also included are puzzles, a money activity and several investigations. Classroom resources include dice games and recording sheets for investigations. 

Based on the first part of Unit 1 of the English Primary Framework, Block E for Year 3.

  • Lesson 1

    Lesson 1 LESSON +

    Pupils explore number steps at the IWB with the teacher setting missing number type puzzles and discussing strategies. Pupils move on to play a dice and paper game which requires lots of repeated addition mental calculations.

    • 4 Activities
    • 4 Documents

  • Lesson 2

    Lesson 2 LESSON +

    Pupils practise finding missing numbers in a sequence and working out the step from a list of numbers. Using the sequences they created from the previous lesson, they create their own missing number challenges.

    • 4 Activities
    • 2 Documents

  • Lesson 3

    Lesson 3 LESSON +

    Pupils identify number patterns and relationships and use these to support counting. They investigate general statements such as: When you count in fives, the units form a pattern. They then work in groups investigating a range of steps, trying out examples on their own and as a team, and discussing what they have found.

    • 1 Activity
    • 1 Document

  • Lesson 4

    Lesson 4 LESSON +

    Pupils practise times tables and division skills at the IWB, with the teacher asking them to solve questions using 2, 5 and 10 multiplication facts and coins. They then work in pairs using coins finding amounts using multiple coins and recording their answers.

    • 2 Activities
    • 1 Document

  • Lesson 5

    Lesson 5 LESSON +

    Pupils look at visual patterns formed by multiplication sequences. They carry out an investigation looking at the last digit of various multiples, recording their results in a table and on digit wheels. They then draw conclusions from their results.

    • 1 Activity
    • 1 Document

  • Lesson 6

    Lesson 6 LESSON +

    Pupils explore larger multiplication and division questions, using the strategies, knowledge and skills they have gained in the previous lessons.

    • 2 Documents
    • 1 Activity