Maths in Year 3 and 4 (age 7–9)
At this age, here are some things your child is likely to be doing:
- Using and understanding numbers up to 1000 and then beyond 1000
- Counting up in multiples of 10, 25, 50 100 and 1000
- Using negative, as well as positive, numbers
- Adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing mentally and using formal written calculation methods
- Remembering times tables up to 12 x 12
- Solving maths problems
- Exploring fractions and decimals
- Analysing and comparing a range of 2D and 3D shapes and their properties
- Telling the time accurately, including using Roman numerals, and calculating with time
- Calculating with measurements, including calculating perimeter and area
- Converting measurements (e.g. from centimetres to metres)
- Interpreting and presenting data using pictograms, tables and bar graphs.
Different ways to teach and learn maths at school
Maths will normally be taught on a daily basis, in a timetabled lesson, but children practise and use their maths throughout the school day. From the outset, there will be a lot of focus on developing basic maths skills, such as times tables and remembering basic addition and subtraction facts, for example, 9 – 6 and 4 + 6. Teachers often set aside part of each lesson to devote to this learning.
Different calculation methods
There are a variety of different calculation methods used in schools today. You may hear terms such as partitioning and place value. Whatever method your child is taught at school, lots of practice at home using numbers and times tables in fun activities will be a great help. Our Fun activities section is full of maths games you can play together.
Assessment and progress
Children continue to be assessed informally throughout the junior years and this helps to inform their teachers’ planning so that they can support each child in the class. There will be ongoing teacher assessments of maths, reading, writing and science and some schools use end of year practice tests in these areas to help check on your child’s progress.
It’s very common for children assess or mark each other’s work as well as their own as this can be a highly effective form of learning. Either way, you will be kept informed about your child’s progress (through record books and parents' evenings) and if your child is finding maths tricky then extra support is usually provided by the teacher or specialist teacher, in consultation with you. This is often through small group work and may be in or outside of the classroom. Your support and encouragement is hugely important but, as ever, if you’re worried then do talk to your child’s teacher.