L6 Find 10 Less

This Year 3 maths lesson helps children learn how to find 10 less than a number, building on their previous learning from Year 2 and earlier Year 3 place value work. The lesson begins with a starter activity reviewing counting back in tens using a hundred square, allowing students to observe that the tens digit decreases by 1 while the ones digit stays the same. In the introduction, students extend this concept to numbers greater than 100, learning to find 10 less using Base 10 equipment and place value charts rather than a hundred square. Animated slides demonstrate numbers such as 292 through 802, prompting discussion about which digits change when subtracting 10. Students practice making exchanges correctly—taking a hundred and exchanging it for 10 tens—so they can subtract a ten, e.g., 802 becomes 792. Additional slides reinforce how digits change when finding 10 more or 10 less. During the main activity, children generate 2- and 3-digit numbers using digit cards and place them on a place value chart. They explore all possible numbers, write them down, and find 10 less than each, discussing which digits change each time. Students also experience making exchanges when a tens digit is 0, reinforcing their understanding of place value. The plenary consolidates learning by sharing numbers that require exchanges and numbers that do not, encouraging students to explain which digits change and why. Key questions guide understanding, including: What happens to the tens digit when subtracting 10? Which digits stay the same? Can I find 10 less without writing it down? This resource is ideal for teachers seeking an interactive, structured Year 3 lesson on finding 10 less, place value, and subtraction within 1000, with activities designed to address common misconceptions and promote deep understanding.