Year 1 Maths Home Learning 

Ideally print this sheet, verbally explain how to get from the red dot to each different location using the vocabulary on the right.

In this activity, children are learning to compare and measure mass using non-standard units (cubes). They look at each balance scale to see how many cubes are needed to make each object balance.

For example:

• The pear balances with 7 cubes, so the pear’s mass is 7 cubes.
  
  

Encourage your child to use the pictures carefully to count the cubes and record the mass for each object.

Complete worksheet looking at comparing two groups.

Look closely at the picture.

Choose a shape you can see (for example: circle, triangle, square, rectangle).

Say or write how you know what shape it is.

• You can use clues like:
  
  

  • How many sides does it have?
    
    

  • Are the sides straight or curved?
    
    

  • Does it have corners?

Look at each picture carefully.

1. Number 1 has been done as an example.
   
   

   • The balance shows two groups that are the same.
     
     

   • We write this as a number sentence (e.g. 5 + 4 = 9).
     
     

   • We can also write it the other way round (e.g. 4 + 5 = 9).
     
     

2. For numbers 2 and 3:
   
   

   • Count how many blocks/characters are on each side of the balance.
     
     

   • Check that the balance is level – this means both sides are equal.
     
     

   • Write the matching number sentences in the boxes below.
     
     

3. Your child should write all the different ways to show the same total, for example:
   
   

   • addition in both orders
     
     

   • the total equals the two parts (e.g. 9 = 5 + 4)
     
     

Key focus:

• Counting carefully
  
  

• Understanding that numbers can be added in any order
  
  

• Knowing that the equals sign means the same as, not the answer comes next
  
  

Encourage your child to say the number sentence out loud before writing it. 

Your child is learning that numbers can be flipped around in an addition sentence and still make the same total (e.g. 5 + 4 = 9 and 4 + 5 = 9).

The pictures show balance scales to help children see that both sides are equal. Question one as been done as an example.

Question 2

• Look at the blocks on the balance.
  
  

• Count how many blocks are on each side.
  
  

• Write the addition sentence to match the picture.
  
  

• Then flip the numbers around to make a second number sentence.
  
  

• The total stays the same, only the order of the numbers changes.
  
  

 Example idea:
If one sentence is 5 + 4 = 9, the flipped one is 4 + 5 = 9.

Question 3

• Again, count the blocks on the balance.
  
  

• Write the addition sentence shown.
  
  

• Now flip the equation so the numbers are in a different order.
  
  

• Check that both sentences still make the same total.
  
  

 Remind your child:
“It doesn’t matter which number comes first when we add – the answer stays the same.”

Helpful tip for parents

You can use:

• Toys
  
  

• Lego bricks
  
  

• Fingers
  
  

to physically build the two groups, then swap them around to show the total stays equal.

We are learning subtraction using a First, Then, Now story and a number line. This helps children understand that subtraction means taking away and counting backwards.

What to do

1. Look at the picture
   
   

   • First: Count how many objects there are at the start.
     
     

   • Then: Count how many are taken away.
     
     

   • Now: Work out how many are left.
     
     

2. Use a number line (0–10)
   
   

   • Start on the First number.
     
     

   • Jump backwards the number shown in the Then picture.
     
     

   • Where you land is the Now answer.
     
     

3. Say the story out loud
   Encourage your child to explain it using this sentence:
   
   
   “First there were ___. Then ___ were taken away. Now there are ___.”
   
   Example

• First: There are 5 apples
  
  

• Then: 2 apples are taken away
  
  

• Start on 5 on the number line
  
  

• Jump back 2 spaces
  
  

• You land on 3
  
  

So we say:

“5 take away 2 equals 3”.

Children are to write the equation (5-2=3)