What can an "average" 6 year old (Year 1) do for addition and subtraction?

[aleto]

I've got an interview for a teaching assistant post and I've been told that I've got to do a Maths activity with a group of average ability year 1s. I haven't worked in a school for years, and have no idea what an average Year 1 can do. I was hoping to do an addition or subtraction related activity but need to know (vaguely) what they would be able to do. Working within 10? 20? Thank you!

Work with in 20 - add or subtract. Does it have to be adding? What about time? I play whats the time mr wolf and they show me on a clock. Can you do Shapes? Directions? Money. ... will pm the targets.

Ma1/2.2a read, write and interpret mathematical statements involving addition (+), subtraction (-) and equals (=) signs

Ma1/2.2b represent and use number bonds and related subtraction facts within 20

Ma1/2.2c add and subtract one-digit and two-digit numbers to 20, including 0

Ma1/2.2d solve one-step problems that involve addition and subtraction, using concrete objects and pictorial representations, and missing number problems such as 7 = ? - 9.

are the end of year objectives for year 1 in additin and subtraction

2C

1a

Do not try the missing number its difficult to grasp and extend.

Thank you for your replies, that's really helpful. The letter just says "Interactive Maths activity". I'm panicking a bit, I currently work with 2 and 3 year olds!! I'm happy to make resources etc, just need to know at what level to pitch my activity.

I have done an activity with low level yr2s (level 1C) involving repeating patterns. I used multi link , counters, pegs and peg boards, but you could make coloured paper disks as well.
I modelled a pattern, asked the group who could tell me what the pattern was, asked them to copy it with apparatus then record it on paper with coloured pencils (different colours to see if they understood).
Pattern examples: (letters are a colour)
b g b g b g b g b g
r r y r r y r r y r r y
r y g r y g r y g r y g

b g g b g g b g g b g g b
g g. g g. g g. g g

I found the children really enjoyed it and were engaged in the activity.

In the last sequence the g should be under the other g to form a square the iPad reformatted it.
g g
g g

I'd have a look at nrich or stem ...
If you decide to addition/ subtraction most Y1s will be working with numbers to 20

If you decide to addition/ subtraction most Y1s will be working with numbers to 20

I'm not sure about that. We're trying to get all children to know by heart addition number facts to 10 and the higher ability to know the facts to 20, but most children are solving calculations with larger numbers.

My middle ability children can solve addition or subtraction calculations involving a 2 digit and a 1 digit number eg 54 + 5 (either by counting on/back in their heads or using a 100 square).

Are you following the new curriculum?

They don't need to know the number facts to 20 in order to add /subtract numbers to 20 just how to count on and back and use a number line/square.

I know that they don't need to know the number facts to 20, but the HA children could add/subtract to 20 using a number line in Reception, and most have known number facts to 10 for ages so needed a challenge. It doesn't hurt to try and speed up their mental maths.

My HA (hate the label) are working with 3 digit numbers but the expectation for a child in Y1 is that they can add and subtract one and two digit numbers to twenty (which is where mist children should be)

I thought they were meant to be able to use numbers to add and subtract up to 20 at the end of reception ? I'm only a parent though.

cant you do something about them starting to get their heads round multiplication? Maybe with objects? It is the end of y1 after all.

Some cant count to 10 at the end of year 1. Multiplication doesnt appear til year 3

really? Even in the new curriculum? My dd's in year 1 and I wasn't aware she is particularly amazing at Maths, I think I was told she was at 1c in October but she understands multiplication and can add numbers over 100. Sorry this is starting to sound like a stealth boast obviously I'm wrong on this

You can have as many curriculum s as you like some kids just cant. Some have never handled money and cant tell a penny from a pound. So cant grasp the days of the week or measuring anything.

But they wouldn't be average surely? If 90% meet whatever the minimum expectation is then the average child will be above that?

Yes they are the lower groups. Average kids can complete the 1B 1A tasks as above. Many teachers dont mark above this as they are not required to do so. So if little Jonny can use times table which are level 2a they wont be ticked off, so so makes no difference to year end mark.

Where do you get the idea that 90%will meet the expectations (or the idea that they are minimum) ? It's a new curriculum and at this stage no one knows

I dunno, but surely more than half will meet them so average will be above? Or are there no expectations now?

I'm just totally confused because the adding/ subtracting up to 20 we were told last year by dd's school is the expectation for reception.

Tobysmum the op didn't ask what an average child in Y1 can do in multiplication and division just addition and subtraction ????

Her question though was about what she could do for an interactive maths task.... so not necessarily adding and subtraction?