Mrs Mactivity

Year 6 Autumn Block 2: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division

Autumn Block 2: Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division (Year 6)

This Year 6 addition, subtraction, multiplication and division unit helps pupils develop fluency and confidence across all four operations. Aligned with White Rose Maths and the Year 6 National Curriculum, the block strengthens calculation skills while developing mathematical reasoning, problem-solving and efficiency when choosing methods.

Across the unit, pupils apply formal written methods for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, explore factors, multiples and prime numbers, investigate square and cube numbers, and solve increasingly complex multi-step problems. The block also develops understanding of the order of operations, helping pupils tackle calculations involving multiple stages and mixed operations.

Resources are organised into comprehensive lesson packs containing detailed lesson plans, interactive teaching slides, differentiated worksheets and supporting activities. Assessment materials, revision mats and knowledge organisers are included to support retrieval practice and long-term understanding throughout the block.

Week 3 small steps

  • Add and subtract integers
  • Solve problems with addition and subtraction
  • Find common factors
  • Find common multiples
  • Recognise rules of divisibility

Week 4 small steps

  • Identify prime numbers to 100
  • Explore square and cube numbers
  • Multiply by a 1-digit number
  • Multiply up to a 4-digit number by a 2-digit number
  • Solve problems with multiplication

Week 5 small steps

  • Divide using short division
  • Divide with remainders
  • Divide using factors
  • Divide using long division
  • Divide using long division with remainders

Week 6 small steps

  • Solve division problems
  • Solve division problems with remainders
  • Solve multi-step problems
  • Know the order of operations
  • Use the order of operations to solve problems

Week 7 small steps

  • Use mental calculations
  • Use estimation
  • Reason using known facts
  • Consolidation lesson
  • Assessment

National Curriculum objectives

  • Multiply multi-digit numbers up to 4 digits by a two-digit whole number using the formal written method of long multiplication
  • Divide numbers up to 4 digits by a two-digit whole number using the formal written method of long division, interpreting remainders as appropriate
  • Divide numbers up to 4 digits by a two-digit number using short division, interpreting remainders according to the context
  • Perform mental calculations, including with mixed operations and large numbers
  • Identify common factors, common multiples and prime numbers
  • Use their knowledge of the order of operations to carry out calculations involving the four operations
  • Solve addition and subtraction multi-step problems in contexts, deciding which operations and methods to use and why
  • Solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division

Part of Maths Masters

These Year 6 calculation resources form part of our complete Maths Masters scheme. Explore the full autumn term sequence for structured progression, interactive teaching slides and differentiated maths resources.

Explore year 6 autumn maths

Download our free Year 6 maths yearly overview | Explore maths subject leader resources

Mastering the four operations in Year 6

This Year 6 addition, subtraction, multiplication and division block helps pupils become increasingly fluent and efficient when working with number. Through carefully sequenced lessons, pupils develop confidence using formal written methods, mental strategies and mathematical reasoning across all four operations.

The unit builds on prior Key Stage 2 learning while introducing more advanced concepts including common factors, common multiples, prime numbers, square and cube numbers, long multiplication, long division and the order of operations. Pupils apply these skills through increasingly challenging reasoning tasks and multi-step problems that prepare them for end of Key Stage 2 expectations.

What’s included

  • Weekly lesson packs covering all calculation small steps
  • Detailed Year 6 maths lesson plans linked to White Rose Maths
  • Interactive teaching slides with clear modelling and worked examples
  • Differentiated four operations worksheets for Year 6
  • Reasoning and problem-solving activities
  • Knowledge organisers, revision mats and assessment resources

What pupils learn across the block

  • Apply efficient written and mental methods across all four operations
  • Identify common factors, common multiples and prime numbers
  • Recognise and use square and cube numbers
  • Use long multiplication and long division confidently
  • Solve increasingly complex multi-step problems
  • Apply the correct order of operations when calculating
  • Explain and justify mathematical reasoning using efficient strategies

Why this block matters

  • Strengthens fluency and accuracy across all four operations
  • Develops efficient calculation strategies for complex problems
  • Builds confidence with formal written methods and mathematical reasoning
  • Provides essential foundations for Year 6 mathematics and SATs preparation

If you are looking for Year 6 multiplication and division worksheets, Year 6 four operations lesson plans, White Rose Maths Year 6 calculation resources, long multiplication and long division activities, Year 6 prime numbers worksheets or a complete Year 6 addition, subtraction, multiplication and division unit, this block provides lesson packs, teaching slides, planning and differentiated resources to support high-quality maths teaching throughout the unit.