Lower KS2 Four Operations Code Breaker Lesson

Aimed at Years 3 and 4, students need to solve a range of mental and written code breaker problems using the four operations. This resource includes:

• A PPT with a quick warm up, a practise code breaker and a ‘spot the mistake’ task.
• Code breaker activity where students read and solve clues to crack three padlock codes, before using formal written methods, times tables and related division facts to crack the final code. The activity sheets have three levels of differentiation:
  – Addition and subtraction with 1, 2 and 3 digit numbers. 2, 5 and 10 times tables problems.
  – Addition and subtraction up to 3 digit numbers. 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 10 times tables problems and their related division facts.
  – Addition and subtraction with up to 4 digit numbers, a mix of times tables problems and their related division facts, formal written methods for multiplication and division.
• Challenges with three levels of differentiation. Challenge 1 involves spotting the mistakes in addition and subtraction problems (3 digits), challenge 2 requires students to complete a Maths story, solving problems along the way. Finally, challenge 3 gives students the chance to solve a range of clues to fill in the mystery keypad.
• Answers included.