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Day 1 — Five digits describe a quantityYear 3 Maths · T1 W1–2 · Day 1 lesson

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Year 3 / Term 1 / Weeks 01 02 / Mathematics

Part of the full two-week lesson sequence. Check the pack guide and taught point before teaching.

Open for this lesson: Sources and materials · Check guide.

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Teacher copy: This page may include teaching prompts or answer keys. Answer keys in this public library can be viewed by anyone. Give learners a clean prompt, use checks as formative evidence, and change a case locally when prior access matters.

Codes: AC9M3N01. Target: build and read 12 406 with ten-thousands, thousands, hundreds, tens and ones. Set out: place cards, digit tiles 1 2 4 0 6, paper quantity symbols.

  1. Launch · 3 min. Display 12 406. Ask: “Would counting one counter at a time be useful? What does each digit tell us?” Collect first thoughts without scoring.
  2. Show the structure · 5 min. Place 1 ten-thousand card, 2 thousand cards, 4 hundred cards, no tens and 6 ones. Say: “Twelve thousand, four hundred and six. The 0 shows there are no tens. It keeps the other digits in their places.” Point as you read.
  3. Make together · 5 min. Switch the tiles to 12 460. Learners direct which cards must change. Ask why the last digit is now zero. Rebuild 12 406; say the full amount in words.
  4. Try and check · 7 min. Partners build 10 235 and 21 035. One reads and records a place expansion; the other checks each place, then they switch. Do not use colour as the only column cue. Offer 23 105 as a challenge.
  5. Use a context · 3 min. “A fictional visitor counter shows 12 406 visits across a year. What could the digit 4 mean?” Expected: 4 hundreds, or 400 visits within the numeral, not four individual visits.
  6. Brief check · 2 min. Everyone writes/selects the numeral for 1 ten-thousand, 3 thousands, 0 hundreds, 2 tens, 5 ones → 13 025. Focus learners name the zero place. If the zero is omitted, compare builds tomorrow.

Access: raised place labels, enlarged spaced numeral, directed adult handling and verbal/AAC place names. The story context is invented and must not be reported as real attendance.