Year 6 Brackets and Calculations

**A ready-to-teach Year 6 maths lesson focused on brackets, calculations and comparing expressions using <, > and =.

This lesson develops pupils’ understanding of how brackets and operations affect the value of calculations and how to reason about and compare different expressions.**

This Year 6 maths lesson focuses on calculations involving brackets and comparing the value of different expressions.

Pupils work with a range of calculation problems where they evaluate expressions, complete missing numbers and compare results using <, > and =. They explore how brackets and operations affect the size of an answer and develop confidence in judging and checking calculations.

The lesson also includes rounding and estimation tasks to help pupils decide whether answers are reasonable and to support their understanding of number size and structure.

Teachers can use the included Smart Notebook input slides to model methods clearly and guide pupils through structured examples before independent practice.

Pupils then complete a differentiated independent activity designed to support all learners while still providing appropriate challenge. The tasks develop confidence with brackets, calculations and SATS-style reasoning questions.

This resource is ideal for Year 6 number lessons, KS2 calculation practice, SATS revision, or targeted intervention sessions.

What’s Included
✔ Smart Notebook input slides for teacher modelling
✔ Differentiated independent worksheets (3 levels)
✔ Plenary task

Why Teachers Use This
✔ Ready-to-teach lesson with no planning required
✔ Builds confidence with brackets and calculations
✔ Develops understanding of expression value
✔ Supports SATS-style reasoning questions
✔ Strengthens estimation and number sense

Lesson Breakdown
✔ Input: Teacher modelling of bracketed calculations
✔ Guided Practice: Evaluating and comparing expressions
✔ Independent Task: Differentiated worksheets (3 levels)
✔ Plenary: Applying in different contexts