Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Number of the Day: Free Printable Planner for Year 2
- ForYear 2
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Number of the Day is a free printable planner for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7). A grown up picks one number, and the child explores it in several ways. They write it in words, find one more and one less, find 10 more and 10 less, double it, halve it if they can, and show it with tens and ones. It takes about 10 minutes and needs only a pencil.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages. Give page 1 to your child and keep page 2, which has notes on how to use the sheet, help ideas and a stretch task. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children choose their number with a grown up, then work down the sheet. They write the number in words, then find one more, one less, 10 more and 10 less. Next they double it and halve it if they can. Last, they show it with tens and ones. Every question is about the same number, so children see how the facts link together. There is space to answer each one.
- Write it in words
- Write 1 more
- Write 1 less
- Write 10 more
- Write 10 less
- Write double the number
- Write half if you can
- Show it with tens and ones
Worked example: one number, many facts
The number of the day is 27. Double it, then find 10 more and 10 less.
The grown up chooses the number on the sheet, so this is just one number to show the idea. 27 is odd, so it cannot be split into two equal whole number halves. That is why the sheet says to write half if you can.
Method 1: double by splitting- Split 27 into 20 and 7.
- Double 20 to get 40.
- Double 7 to get 14.
- Add the two doubles: 40 + 14 = 54.
- Draw 2 tens sticks and 7 ones dots.
- For 10 more, draw one more stick. That is 3 tens and 7 ones.
- For 10 less, cross out one stick. That is 1 ten and 7 ones.
- Notice that the ones stay the same. Only the tens change.
Build a Number of the Day habit
Pick the number together
Let your child choose the number sometimes, up to 50 to start. Choosing gives them a stake in the activity and a reason to look closely at it.
Say it before you write it
Ask your child to say the number aloud, then say one more and one less. Speaking first makes the writing easier.
Draw it
Use quick sticks for tens and dots for ones. A simple drawing shows what each digit is worth.
Keep it short
Stop when the sheet is done. About 10 minutes each day works better than one long session.
Why spend time on one number?
Number sense means knowing what a number is, how big it is and how it connects to other numbers. Children who only count by rote can find numbers hard to use. Looking at one number from many angles shows that 27, for example, is also 20 and 7, one more than the number before it, and part of a pattern of tens.
Place value is the idea that a digit's worth depends on its position. In a two digit number, the left digit counts tens and the right digit counts ones. When children add or take away 10, they see the tens digit change while the ones stay put. This idea underpins adding, taking away and, later, much bigger numbers.
Skills and curriculum link
- Place value
- Number facts
- Writing numbers
- Number sense
- Doubling and halving
This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Curriculum (England) | Maths | Number and place value | Year 2 |
What children will be able to do
- I can show one number in several ways.
- I can say how many tens and ones are in it.
- I can say what is one more and one less.
Ideas to help you talk about the number
- Tens and onesIn a two digit number, the first digit tells you the tens and the second tells you the ones. Use sticks and dots to show this.
- Odd and evenEven numbers can be shared into two equal groups with none left over. Odd numbers always have one left over.
- DoublingDoubling means adding a number to itself. Splitting into tens and ones makes it easier to do in your head.
- Number wordsMany number words follow patterns. Saying them aloud and spotting the patterns makes them easier to spell.
Key words
- DigitOne of the symbols used to write numbers, from 0 to 9.
- Tens and onesThe two parts of a two digit number. Tens are groups of ten. Ones are the single ones left over.
- MoreA bigger amount. Finding one more means adding 1.
- LessA smaller amount. Finding one less means taking away 1.
- DoubleThe same number added to itself.
- HalfOne of two equal parts. Only some numbers can be shared exactly in half.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes for you.
- Pick a number up to 50 to start. Write it at the top of page 1.
- Work through the sheet together the first time. Talk about each choice and ask, "How did you work that out?"
- Check the work using the notes on page 2. Listen for your child's reasoning, not only the answers.
- Use a new number another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Use counters or a number line. Build the number from tens and ones with counters, then add or take away one counter or one group of ten. Say each number aloud as you go. Try just the first few questions first, and come back to the rest later.
To stretch confident children
Pick a number up to 100 and write a sum that equals it. Then find a second sum that equals the same number. Try one with a double in it, and one that uses tens and ones.
Make it a game
Roll two dice and add them to pick the number of the day. Then take turns to say one fact about the number. The first player who cannot think of a new fact loses the round.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child changes the ones digit when asked for 10 more or 10 less.
Try thisShow the number with tens sticks and ones dots. Add or remove a whole stick and ask which part changed.
Watch forA child halves when asked to double, or doubles when asked to halve.
Try thisSay the words aloud. Double means two groups of the number. Half means sharing the number into two equal groups.
Watch forA child mixes up number words that sound alike, such as the teens and the tens.
Try thisSay the words slowly together. Use a number line to see where each one sits and listen for the ending.
Talk about it
- Which number would you choose tomorrow, and why?
- What do you notice about the digits in your number?
- Is your number odd or even? How do you know?
- What happens to the tens digit when you add 10?
- Can you show your number in a different way?
- What is the biggest fact you found about your number?
Take it off the page
Number on the door
Look for numbers around the house or on the street. Pick one as the number of the day and find one more and one less.
Buttons and pots
Show a number with buttons. Make groups of ten in one pot and put the ones in another.
Number of the day diary
Draw a small box for each day of the week. Write the number of the day and one fact about it in each box.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go, then let them lead. About 10 minutes is plenty. If they get stuck, build the number with counters and talk it through. Praise the thinking, not only the answer.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Choose the number to suit each child, and use page 2 for support and stretch ideas.
Home educators
Pair it with everyday talk, such as house numbers, prices or the date. Print it again for brothers and sisters, or use a fresh number for revision a few weeks later.
Where this fits
Before this, children count to 100 and learn that two digit numbers are made of tens and ones. They also practise finding one more and one less. Year 2 builds on this with more secure place value and number facts.
After this, children work with larger numbers and start to use place value for harder addition and subtraction. The same ideas of tens, ones, doubling and halving keep coming back, so a confident start now helps later.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- How many tens and ones are in your number?
- What is 10 more than your number?
- Can you show your number a different way?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Number of the Day for?
It is written for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7), in Key Stage 1. Younger children can try it with smaller numbers and counters, and older children can use bigger numbers.
- How long does it take?
It takes about 10 minutes. Use a new number each day for short, regular practice.
- Which number should we pick?
Start with a number up to 50. A grown up picks it at first. Once your child is confident, try a number up to 100 and write a sum that equals it.
- What if it feels too hard?
Use counters or a number line. Show the number with tens and ones, then add or take away one or ten. Work through the first few questions together before trying the rest.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or revision.
- Is it a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper and a pencil. It works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays, and children write by hand.
- Does it match the National Curriculum?
It supports the Number and place value strand of the Year 2 maths curriculum in England. It is practice and play, not a replacement for classroom teaching. Please check it against your own school plan.
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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.