Using resources to support Maths in Year 3

The Year 3 children have been working incredibly hard over the last couple of weeks to tackle some tricky aspects of maths. We have been learning the column method for addition and subtraction. This is quite a complex method for children to ‘get their heads around’ so they have been using practical resources to help with their concrete understanding. One such practical resource is Dienes. Dienes are a fantastic resource to use in maths which allow children to identify with hundreds, tens and ones. When we have been learning the written method for addition and subtraction, the children put the Dienes into the correct place value columns. This has supported them when they have to tackle the notion of exchanging, for example when converting 1 ten to ten ones in subtraction.

The teachers have been really pleased with the commitment and perseverance the children have demonstrated during maths lessons to fully understand these concepts. They have also been exposed to some tricky problem solving questions to really make them think hard! These questions are challenging and take some time to solve, but the children thoroughly enjoy the satisfaction when they’d solved the problem and it is clear that all children are proud of the progress they have already made in maths!