Year 1 Mathematics

Curriculum Overview

Mathematics in Year 1 is all about supporting children to develop number sense and gain a secure understanding of the number system. There is a greater focus on place value and simple calculation than any other year group and it is vital that children acquire these skills and understanding at an early age. The curriculum is progressive and focusses on secure calculation within numbers to 20 but also counting and ordering numbers as far as 100. In Year 1 children are heavily reliant on practical resources and pictorial images to support their growing understanding of mathematical concepts. (See our Resources Link for more information.)

Below are the National Curriculum objectives which are covered in Year 1.

Year 1 Statutory Requirements
NUMBER – NUMBER & PLACE VALUE

  • Count to and across 100, forwards and backwards, beginning with 0 or 1, or from any given number

  • Count, read and write numbers to 100 in numerals; count in multiples of twos, fives and tens

  • Given a number, identify one more and one less

  • Identify and represent numbers using objects and pictorial representations including the number line, and use the language of: equal to, more than, less than (fewer), most, least

  • Read and write numbers from 1 to 20 in numerals and words.
NUMBER – ADDITION & SUBTRACTION

  • Read, write and interpret mathematical statements involving addition (+), subtraction (–) and equals (=) signs

  • Represent and use number bonds and related subtraction facts within 20

  • Add and subtract one-digit and two-digit numbers to 20, including zero

  • Solve one-step problems that involve addition and subtraction, using concrete objects and pictorial representations, and missing number problems such as 7 = ? – 9.
NUMBER – MULTIPLICATION & DIVISION
  • Solve one-step problems involving multiplication and division, by calculating the answer using concrete objects, pictorial representations and arrays with the support of the teacher.
NUMBER – FRACTIONS

  • Recognise, find and name a half as one of two equal parts of an object, shape or quantity

  • Recognise, find and name a quarter as one of four equal parts of an object, shape or quantity.
MEASUREMENT

  • Compare, describe and solve practical problems for:

    • Lengths and heights [for example, long/short, longer/shorter, tall/short, double/half]

    • Mass/weight [for example, heavy/light, heavier than, lighter than]

    • Capacity and volume [for example, full/empty, more than, less than, half, half full, quarter]

    • Time [for example, quicker, slower, earlier, later]

  • Measure and begin to record the following:

    • Lengths and heights

    • Mass/weight

    • Capacity and volume

    • Time (hours, minutes, seconds)

  • Recognise and know the value of different denominations of coins and notes

  • Sequence events in chronological order using language [for example, before and after, next, first, today, yesterday, tomorrow, morning, afternoon and evening] and recognise and use language relating to dates, including days of the week, weeks, months and years

  • Tell the time to the hour and half past the hour and draw the hands on a clock face to show these times.
GEOMETRY – PROPERTIES OF SHAPES

  • Recognise and name common 2-D and 3-D shapes, including:

  • 2-D shapes [for example, rectangles (including squares), circles and triangles]

  • 3-D shapes [for example, cuboids (including cubes), pyramids and spheres].
GEOMETRY – POSITION & DIRECTION
  • Describe position, direction and movement, including whole, half, quarter and three-quarter turns.

White Rose

As an academy we structure the delivery of the national curriculum in the order set out by the White Rose and we use a great many of their resources such as the ‘small steps’ to support this delivery. The timetable shows the order in which units of work are taught. Please click here.

Brilliant Bonds

The Brilliant Bond system is used in Year 1 to support children in learning number bonds to 5, 10 and 20. Through use of practical resources, visual images, a range of taught techniques and regular rehearsal, children in Year 1 are expected to know the various bonds which make each number. (eg 1 + 9 2 + 8 3 + 7) They also learn the commutative law – that addition can be done in any order. (eg 2 + 8 is the same as 8 + 2).

Brilliant Bonds are tested each week in Big Maths sessions. Examples of tests are below.