There are some tough challenges in the new Year 2 Programme of Study, but we have been beavering away to make sure our resources meet the new criteria.  Let’s begin by looking at the new statutory requirements for ‘Number and Place Value’. Number and Place Value Pupils should be taught to: •    count in steps of 2, 3, and 5 from 0, and in tens from any number, forward or backward •    recognise the place value of each digit in a two-digit number (tens, ones) •    identify, represent and estimate numbers using different representations, including the number line •    compare and order numbers from 0 up to 100; use <, > and = signs •    read and write numbers to at least 100 in numerals and in words •    use place value and number facts to solve problems. Most of this looks very similar to the old curriculum. The main difference is the introduction of the < and > signs. Remembering which is which could prove very tricky. Writing numbers to at least 100 in words is a real challenge which quite a few children will not be able to manage by the end of the year. A key idea in this category is partitioning numbers in different ways. For example: 24 can be split up or partitioned into 20 + 4 or 10 + 14. This is important to understand as it helps with written addition and subtraction in later years. Also it is important to begin to understand zero as a place holder; i.e. the 1 in 100 has a value ten times the 1 in 10, with the zeros being used as place holders. Counting in multiples of 3 is a new target, introduced to help later with understanding the concept of a third. Please note that these requirements will not become compulsory until the beginning of the 2015 school year. Go to our Year 2 Number and Place Value worksheets