Math lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 45 minutes
Check answers with the inverse operation
Addition and subtraction
CCSS 3.NBT.A.2England: Y3 Addition and subtractionEngland: Y4 Addition and subtraction
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Check answers with the inverse operation.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Add three-digit numbers with regrouping; Subtract three-digit numbers with exchanging
Leads to: the next skill in this area.
Materials: Base-ten blocks, Number lines, Hundred square, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Add three-digit numbers with regrouping; Subtract three-digit numbers with exchanging). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- 533 + 271 = ? → 804Prompt: Add the ones first.
- 480 − 167 = ? → 313Prompt: Start with the ones.
- Ethan's school collected 316 cans for recycling in March and 216 in April. How many cans is that altogether? → 532Prompt: Altogether means add.
Hook · 5 min
- Give a real shopping total or a score difference and ask for a quick estimate first.
- Share the objective: Check answers with the inverse operation. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Which calculation checks 570 − 102 = 468?
- Step 1: 468 + 102 = 570
- Step 2: 468 + 102
- Answer: 468 + 102
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Which calculation checks 596 − 469 = 127? (127 − 469 / 596 − 127 − 469 / 596 + 469 / 127 + 469) → 127 + 469Prompt: Addition undoes subtraction.
- Grace says 615 + 152 = 767. Grace checks with 767 − 152. Is Grace's answer correct? (yes / no) → yesPrompt: Work out 767 − 152.
You do: independent practice · 10 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Which calculation checks 533 − 454 = 79? (79 − 454 / 533 + 454 / 533 − 79 − 454 / 79 + 454) → 79 + 454Prompt: Addition undoes subtraction.
- Ravi says 647 + 155 = 802. Ravi checks with 802 − 155. Is Ravi's answer correct? (yes / no) → yesPrompt: Work out 802 − 155.
Watch out for
- Subtracting the smaller digit from the bigger one in every column (52 − 17 = 45).
- Forgetting to add the regrouped (carried) ten.
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Add three-digit numbers with regrouping.
- Use concrete materials: base-ten blocks.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/math/grade-3.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder