C Curriculum Explorer
Mathematics·Mathematical Thinking·meta

Numbers on a number line

Select and use appropriate tools and representations (number lines, hundred squares, rulers, part-whole models) to support problem-solving

Suggested ages 6–7

Open direct link

Learning journey

Your child is developing mathematical reasoning skills — learning to plan approaches to problems, explain their thinking clearly, spot patterns, and connect real-world situations to mathematical solutions.

Evidence of understanding

  • Choose a number line or hundred square to support adding or subtracting two-digit numbers
  • Select a ruler when a problem requires measuring length
  • Explain why one representation (e.g. a number line vs cubes) is more helpful for a particular problem

Assessment prompt

When Numbers on a number line is tackling a maths problem, do they choose a useful tool — like a number line for addition or a hundred square to count on — rather than always working in their head?

Standards alignment

No external standards are linked to this topic.