Addition
These steps represent a progression through a child’s understanding. At all times concrete apparatus MUST be used. Objects, Numicom, bundles of straws, Diennes, bead
strings and 1 /10/ 100 counters should be familiar to the children. It is vital that children learn to estimate and round from the earliest stage.
Stage A
Pictures and Objects
Stage B
Counting on
Stage C
Bridging and
Partitioning
Stage D
Add using most significant
digit first – this stage does not have
Stage E
Column addition
Year 3
to be written but must be demonstrated
with practical apparatus - Diennes
Use a variety of
pictures and objects
eg Numicon, multilink, compare bears.
3+2=5
Count on from
largest number. Use
fingers, Numicon,
numberlines.
Being able to partition
numbers then use for
addition.
Eg 27 = 20 + 7
47 + 76
47 = 40 + 7
76 = 70 +6
15 + 7 = 22
Use for
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
34 + 27 =
34 + 20 + 7
47 +76 = 110 + 13 =
123
Move onto larger
numbers and use +
and = signs.
Introduce bead strings
as a numberline
Children must know
the inverse
operation and have
practical experience
of it.
38 + 17
Moving to
34
34
44
54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61
44
54
60 61
Understand that you
can split 7 into 6 +1
= plus, sum
Addition, increase,
inverse. Total, combine
38
17
1
34
27
50
11
61
Move onto larger nos.
Vocabulary
Add, altogether. And ,
makes, more, equal
This must be
introduced using
Diennes and TU grid.
55
Move onto adding
decimals.
Decimal point is
always lined up.
Addition of fractions