Pownall Green Primary School

Mathematics

Steps to Success

and

Top Tips

Year 4
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Contents Page
1. To use less than (<), greater than (>), equals (=) 3
2. Round numbers less than 1000 to the nearest 10 or 100 3
3. Read fractions where the numerator is greater than one 3
4. Read mixed numbers 4
5. Understand equivalent fractions 4
6. Add any pair of two-digit numbers, mentally 4
7. Subtract any pair of two-digit numbers, mentally 4
8. Column addition of two numbers less than 1000 5
9. Column subtraction of two numbers less than 1000 6
10. To know the 2, 5 and 10 multiplication tables 6
11. Know the 3 and 4 multiplication tables 7
12. Know the 6 and 7 multiplication tables 7
13. Know the 8 and 9 multiplication tables 7
14. Know the 11 and 12 multiplication tables 7
15. Work out division facts to multiplication tables 7
16. Find remainders after division 8
17. Units of length, mass and capacity 8
18. Use the correct operations to word solve problems 9
19. To name polygons 10
20. Say whether a polygon is regular or irregular 10
21. Classify 2-D shapes 10
22. Units of time 10
23. Draw and answer questions about bar charts 11
24. Convert cm to metres 11

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 Steps to Success and Top Tips Year 4
Key Learning Objectives
1. To use less than (<), greater than (>), equals (=)

Top Tips

Think of the symbol as a crocodiles mouth

The crocodile is greedy and his mouth always opens to the larger
number
The less than sign is a squashed L (L for less than)

2. To round numbers less than 1000 to the nearest 10 or 100

Steps to Success

Rounding to 10

1) Which two multiples of 10 is the number in between?

2) Choose which multiple of ten it is nearest to. If the unit is 5 or more
then round up.

Rounding to 100

1) Which two multiples of 100 is the number in between?

2) Choose which multiple of 100 it is nearest to. If the digit in the tens is
5 or more then round up.

Memorise this poem:

Find your digit (the one in the column you are rounding to)
Look right next door.
4 or less just ignore.
5 or more, add 1 more.

Top Tips

If the number is exactly in the middle, then round it up

Remember High Five the number rounds up
3. To read fractions where the numerator is greater than one

Top Tips

Remember Denominator - Down (at the bottom)

Denominator = how many equal parts a whole is divided into
Numerator = how many of the equal parts of the whole there are
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4. To read mixed numbers e.g. 1

Top Tips

This is the same as reading whole numbers and fractions together

e.g. 1 is the same as 1 whole and a

5. To understand the equivalence of simple fractions

Top Tips

Equivalent fractions may look different, but are really THE SAME
Use a fraction wall/tower or pizzas/ cakes to demonstrate
6. To add any pair of two-digit numbers, mentally

Steps to Success

1) Add the tens digits together

2) Add the units together
3) Add both answers to find the total

7. To subtract any pair of two-digit numbers, mentally

Steps to Success - Partitioning

1. Put the greater number in your head
2. Partition the smaller number into tens (T) and units (U)
3. Either take away the tens or the units first, whichever is easier

Top Tips partitioning

Partitioning is best when the digits of smaller number are smaller than
the corresponding digits of the larger number.

Steps to Success - Compensation (rounding and adjusting)

1. Look at the numbers. Can any be rounded to the nearest 10?
2. Carry out the simpler calculation.
3. Adjust answer allowing for original rounding.

Top Tips compensation

Compensation is best when the smallest number CAN be rounded up.

Steps to Success - Counting on

1. Put the smaller number in your head
2. Count on to the next ten
3. Count up in tens, then in units
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8. To carry out column addition of two numbers less than 1000

Steps to Success

1. Write each digit in the correct place value column

2. Start with the units column and add up all the numbers in that
column.
3. If one of the columns adds up to an answer of 10 or more:
a. put the units of the answer in the column being added
b. carry the tens digit to the next column on the left under the
bottom line.

4. Remember to add in the digit you carried with the next column.

5. Repeat with all the columns

Th H T U
7 6 2
+ 4 5 3
-------------------------------
1 2 1 5
-------------------------------
1 1

Top Tips

Write the column headings to help you.

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9. To carry out column subtraction of two numbers less than 1000

Steps to Success

1. Write the greatest number on top, line up the digits in the place value
columns.
2. Start by subtracting the units column, taking the bottom number away
from the top.
3. If the top digit is less than the digit you are going to subtract, you
need to exchange with a digit in the column to the left. Make the left
neighbour 1 less, write the 1 beside your digit on its left)

H T U
5 1

6 1
- 3 4
------------------------------
2 7
------------------------------

Top Tips

Keep everything in the correct columns.

If there is a decimal point (e.g. money), make sure the decimal point is
lined up.
Exchange if necessary.
When exchanging, cross out digit you are exchanging from and take
away one from it. Write the new number above it.
Remember you cannot take away from 0 so you need to exchange from
the next column to the left. First to make 10 then exchange a 1 and a
leave a 9 in that column.

10. To know the 2, 5 and 10 multiplication tables

TopTips

For x2 tables - Count up in 2s, remember all answers are even and end in

2, 4, 6, 8 or 0.

For x5 table - numbers in the x5 table always end in 5 or 0

For x10 table - numbers in the x10 table always end in 0

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11. To know the 3 and 4 multiplication tables

Top Tips

To multiply by 4, just double the number and then double it again.

12. To know the 6 and 7 multiplication tables

Top Tips

The 6 times table is double the 3 times table.

Remember 5,6,7,8 so 56 = 7x8

13. To know the 8 and 9 multiplication tables

Top Tips

The 8 times table is double the 4 times table etc.

Remember 5,6,7,8 so 56 = 7x8
The sum of the digits in multiples of 9 add up to 9.
Remember finger trick for the 9 times tables.

14. To know the 11 and 12 multiplication tables

Top Tips

The 11 times table digits are the same up to 9 x11

The 12 times table is double the 6 times table etc.

15. To work out division facts to multiplication tables

Top Tips

Link to multiplication tables e.g. 2 x 3 = 6, 3 x 2 = 6

6 2 = 3, 6 3 = 2

Circle sets to demonstrate

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16. To find remainders after division

Steps to Success

1. Divide into the greater number, one digit at a time, starting from the
LEFT (Its the opposite side from when you are adding, subtracting
and multiplying)
2. Put the result of each division directly above, on the top of the bus
stop
3. If the small number wont go into a digit exactly, carry the remainder
across (to the next digit on the right). If it wont go at all put a 0 on top
and carry the whole digit.
4. Work out how many are left over. Show this as a remainder .

e.g 24 divided by 3 = 7 r 3

Top Tips

Extend bus stop analogy to numbers that are out in the rain and
sheltered numbers.
Use your multiplication facts to help.

17. To know and use the links between familiar units of length, mass
and capacity

Top Tips

There are three types of metric measures length, mass and volume
(capacity). Each one has a base unit:

Length = metre
Mass = grams
Volume = litres

Each type of metric unit has smaller and larger units which are either
10, 100, 1000- times smaller or larger. The size of the unit compared to
the base unit is shown by adding a prefix.

Deci = 1/10 of the base unit (10 times smaller)

Centi = 1/100 of the base unit (100 times smaller)
Milli = 1/1000 of the base unit (1000 times smaller)

Kilo = 1000 time larger than the base unit

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18. To choose and use the correct operations and ways of calculating
(mental, mental with jottings, pencil and paper) to solve problems

Steps to Success

1. Read and understand the problem.

2. Underline key information.
3. Decide what you need to work out.
4. Estimate

5. Calculate
6. Answer in a sentence
7. Take time to check your answer

Top Tips

Break your method down into clear steps

Use mathematical language to explain your method

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 Steps to Success and Top Tips
Shape, Space, Measures and Data Handling - Year 4

Key Learning Objectives

19. To name polygons, using criteria such as number of right angles,

whether or not they are regular, symmetry properties

Steps to success- Symmetry

1) Copy shape on to paper and cut out

2) Fold the shape to check if both sides fold exactly on top of each other

Top Tips

A shape may have more than I line of symmetry

A line of symmetry is also called a mirror line

20. To say whether a polygon is regular or irregular

Top Tips

Polygons have straight sides

Regular polygons also have sides of equal length

21. To classify 2-D shapes using criteria such as number of right

angles, regular and irregular, lines of symmetry

Top Tips

Use correct vocabulary such as right angle, faces, vertices, edges and
practise by playing Guess the Shape (describing properties of each
shape) or using a feely bag.

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22. To know and use the relationships between units of time

Top Tips

Remember these facts 365 days/12 months = 1 year

28-31 days = 1 month

7 days = 1 week

1 day = 24 hours

1 hour = 60 minutes

1 minute = 60 seconds

23. To draw and answer questions about bar charts

Steps to Success

1) Draw the horizontal and vertical axis on the line

2) Calculate the scale required
3) Mark equal points/numbers on axis on the line
4) Carefully plot information on graph, across first then up

24. To convert cm to metres

Top Tips

Remember 100 cm = 1 metre

Divide the number of cm by 100 to convert to metres

Multiply number of metres by 100 to convert to cm

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