Year 4 Intelligent practice Intelligent practice is a feature of mathematics which is growing in popularity. A key aspect of this is to provide activities and questions so that, rather than just reproducing one mechanical process children are encouraged to think about the relationships between numbers. With each of these sets of six questions knowing the answer to the first question should help with answering the next For example: a. 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = b. 4 x 4 = c. 5 + 3 + 5 + 3 = d. 16 ÷ 4 = e. 160 ÷ 4 = f. 32 ÷ 4 = Whilst going through these six questions children can use and reflect on their knowledge of number, with such concepts as: Knowing that adding a number four times is the same as multiplying the number by 4 Knowing that adding two numbers either side of a middle number can also be worked out by doubling the middle number. (7 + 9 is the same as double 8) Knowing that if 4 x 4 = 16 then 16 ÷ 4 = 4 Knowing that if 16 ÷ 4 = 4 then the answer to 160 ÷ 4  will be ten times greater. and so on. The arrangement of these questions in small groups of 6 draws children’s attention to the many relationships between numbers and makes it easier for them to work out quite hard calculations ‘in their heads’. Our latest set of Intelligent Practice worksheets can be found in the Year 4 Four Rules category