Strengthening Addition and Subtraction Skills – Year 4 Maths

Our Autumn Block 2: Addition and Subtraction resources provide a structured approach to developing fluency and confidence in written and mental calculations. Pupils will build on their existing knowledge, progressing through carefully sequenced lessons that cover adding and subtracting numbers with up to four digits, including exchanges.

What’s covered in this block?

Across two weeks, pupils will refine their addition and subtraction skills, ensuring they can apply these methods accurately and efficiently. This block supports the Year 4 National Curriculum objectives, helping pupils to:

• Add and subtract numbers with up to four digits using formal written methods
• Understand when to use mental or written strategies
• Solve two-step word problems in context

Week 5: addition skills

Pupils will begin by strengthening their understanding of place value and developing efficient addition strategies. They will:

• Add 1s, 10s, 100s, and 1,000s
• Add two, three, and four-digit numbers with no exchange
• Add up to four-digit numbers with one exchange
• Add up to four-digit numbers with multiple exchanges

Week 6: subtraction skills

With a secure understanding of addition, pupils will apply similar strategies to subtraction, learning to work accurately with larger numbers. They will:

• Subtract from four-digit numbers with no exchange
• Subtract from four-digit numbers with one exchange
• Subtract from four-digit numbers with multiple exchanges
• Solve a range of addition and subtraction problems, deciding which methods to use and why

Why this block is important

Addition and subtraction are fundamental skills that underpin many areas of maths. By mastering these methods, pupils will:

• Improve their mental arithmetic and written calculation skills
• Develop confidence in working with larger numbers
• Strengthen their problem-solving abilities in real-life contexts

Supporting pupils’ progress

These resources provide structured learning that supports all abilities, with clear step-by-step guidance and differentiated activities. Pupils will gain essential skills that will help them as they move through Key Stage 2 and beyond.