Year 4 - Subtraction

Take your Year 4 class outdoors to master subtraction in fun, hands-on ways! Across this unit, pupils will tackle 4-digit subtractions with and without exchanges, sharpen their estimation skills, and solve real-life word problems—making maths active, memorable, and full of confidence-building challenges.

Lesson Plans

Subtracting from 4-digit numbers

Using natural resources, your Year 4 class will actively master subtracting 1s, 10s, 100s, and 1000s from 4-digit numbers in this exciting outdoor maths lesson. This hands-on approach strengthens place value knowledge and mental subtraction skills, ensuring learning is engaging, memorable, and fun.

Learning objective:

To subtract 1’s, 10’s, 100’s and 1000’s from 4 digit numbers.

Subtracting 4-digit numbers - no exchange

Give your Year 4 class the chance to master subtracting two 4-digit numbers without exchange in this lively outdoor maths lesson! Pupils will apply formal written methods with confidence and use their place value knowledge to reason effectively about subtraction.

Learning objective:

To subtract two 4-digit numbers. No exchange.

Subtracting 4-digit numbers - one exchange

Enable your Year 4 class to master subtracting two 4-digit numbers with one exchange with this exciting outdoor maths lesson. Pupils will apply formal written methods and develop efficient subtraction strategies through an energetic beanbag game, ensuring a memorable and engaging learning experience.

Learning objective:

To subtract two 4-digit numbers. One exchange.

Subtracting 4-digit numbers - multiple exchanges

Help your Year 4 class confidently master subtracting two 4-digit numbers with multiple exchanges in this exciting outdoor maths lesson! Through an energetic timed challenge, pupils will practise formal written methods and develop efficient subtraction strategies, making learning active, memorable, and fun.

Learning objective:

To subtract two 4-digit numbers. More than one exchange.

Estimating 4-digit number subtractions

Enable your Year 4 class to master estimating answers for 4-digit number subtractions with this exciting outdoor maths lesson. Pupils will round numbers to the nearest 10, 100, or 1000, and develop efficient strategies for solving subtraction problems, ensuring a memorable and engaging learning experience.

Learning objective:

To estimate answers for 4-digit number subtractions.

Solving 2 step subtraction problems

Take your Year 4 class outdoors to master solving two-step subtraction problems in a fun and engaging way! Pupils will tackle word problems, compare subtraction calculations with 4-digit numbers, and enjoy a memorable learning experience that brings maths to life.

Learning objective:

To solve two step subtraction problems.

Before you get started

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