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Maths

Autumn 2

➗ Year 6 Maths: Fractions A and B

This term, Year 6 will be developing their understanding of fractions through Fractions A and Fractions B from the White Rose Maths scheme of learning.

Building on their knowledge from previous years, the children will explore fractions in greater depth, developing their confidence with calculating, comparing and solving increasingly challenging problems.

We will focus on understanding how and why different fraction methods work, using practical resources, visual representations and written calculations to support our learning.

📖 What will we be learning?

Throughout these units, we will:

  • Explore equivalent fractions and learn how to simplify fractions using common factors.

  • Represent fractions on a number line.

  • Compare and order fractions, including fractions greater than one.

  • Use common multiples to find common denominators.

  • Add and subtract fractions with different denominators.

  • Add and subtract mixed numbers, using efficient written methods.

  • Solve multi-step problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions.

  • Multiply fractions by whole numbers (integers).

  • Multiply pairs of fractions and simplify our answers.

  • Divide fractions by whole numbers (integers).

  • Calculate fractions of amounts.

  • Find the whole when given a fraction of an amount.

  • Apply our fraction knowledge to a range of reasoning and problem-solving activities.

✏️ Our key mathematical learning

🔢 Fractions A – Understanding and calculating with fractions

We will begin by strengthening our understanding of equivalent fractions and simplifying fractions to their simplest form.

We will then develop our ability to compare and order fractions, using common denominators and common numerators to help us explain our thinking.

A key focus will be adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators, including mixed numbers. We will learn to choose appropriate common denominators and apply our knowledge to increasingly complex calculations and multi-step problems.

✖️ Fractions B – Multiplying and dividing fractions

We will build on our previous learning to explore multiplication and division involving fractions.

We will learn how to:

  • Multiply fractions by integers.

  • Multiply a fraction by another fraction.

  • Divide a fraction by an integer.

  • Solve calculations involving all four operations with fractions.

  • Find fractions of quantities and amounts.

  • Work backwards to find the whole when we know a fraction of an amount.

We will use diagrams, bar models and written methods to help us understand these calculations and explain the strategies we have used.

🧠 Developing our mathematical thinking

Throughout both units, we will explore mathematical problems that encourage us to think deeply and explain our reasoning.

We will ask questions such as:

  • How do we know that two fractions are equivalent?

  • What is the most efficient way to find a common denominator?

  • How can we compare fractions with different numerators and denominators?

  • Why do we need a common denominator when adding or subtracting fractions?

  • What happens when we multiply two fractions together?

  • How can we represent dividing a fraction by a whole number?

  • If we know a fraction of an amount, how can we find the whole?

  • Can we solve this problem in more than one way?

🎯 Our Year 6 Maths skills

We will be working towards becoming confident, independent mathematicians by developing our ability to:

Fluency – recall and apply fraction knowledge accurately, choosing efficient methods to solve calculations.

Reasoning – explain our mathematical thinking, justify our answers and use mathematical vocabulary confidently.

Problem-solving – apply our understanding of fractions to unfamiliar and multi-step problems.

Representation – use diagrams, bar models, number lines and written methods to demonstrate our understanding.

Accuracy – simplify fractions, calculate carefully and check that our answers are reasonable.

Mathematical communication – use the correct mathematical language to explain our methods and discuss different approaches.

🌟 Our mathematical goal

By the end of these units, we aim to be confident in working with fractions, from simplifying and ordering them to carrying out more complex multiplication and division calculations.

Most importantly, we want to develop a secure understanding of fractions so that we can apply our knowledge confidently to a wide range of mathematical challenges, both in Year 6 and beyond!