Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Tenths Rocket Countdown: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 3
- ForYear 3
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Tenths Rocket Countdown is a free printable maths worksheet for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8). Children fill fuel tanks, shade tenths and complete counting sequences that go up and down in tenths, including some that pass one whole. Page 2 gives the grown-up notes, help ideas, a stretch task and the answers.
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 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children start by drawing and shading fuel tanks, so they see that tenths are ten equal parts of one whole. Then they complete refuel and countdown sequences written as fractions, filling the gaps by counting up or down in tenths. Some sequences go past 1, and one starts from 2. The sheet mixes multiple choice questions, numbered questions with space to write, and boxes for drawing or notes.
- Refuel up: 0, 1/10, 2/10, ___, 4/10, ___
- Refuel up: 5/10, 6/10, ___, 8/10, ___, 10/10
- Countdown: 9/10, 8/10, ___, 6/10, ___, 4/10
- Countdown: 4/10, ___, 2/10, ___, 0
- Refuel up past 1: 8/10, 9/10, ___, 11/10, ___, 13/10
- Countdown from 2: 20/10, ___, 18/10, 17/10, ___
- What makes tenths?
Make your own fuel tank
Paper strip tank
Take a strip of paper 20 cm long. Use a ruler to mark a dot every 2 cm, then draw a line at each dot. That gives ten sections of equal length. Label the sections from 1 to 10 tenths and shade as many as you like. Ask your child to say each fraction aloud.
Counter tank
Use a ruler to draw a tall box 10 cm high. Mark every 1 cm so the box has ten equal sections. Place one counter in each section as you count up in tenths. Take the counters away one at a time for a countdown.
Rocket number line
Draw a long line and mark 0, 1 and 2 as whole numbers. Space the marks evenly, then add the tenths between them. Move a paper rocket along the line as you count up and down. Pause at each whole number.
Countdown cards
Write the tenths fractions on small cards, one fraction on each card. Mix them up, then ask your child to put them in order for a launch. Try counting up, then counting down. Add cards that go past one whole when they are ready.
Why tenths matter in Year 3
A tenth is one of ten equal parts of a whole. The bottom number of a fraction tells us how many equal parts the whole has been split into. The top number tells us how many of those parts we are talking about. This is why equal parts matter so much. If the parts are different sizes, we cannot call them tenths.
Counting in tenths works like counting in ones, but the unit is a tenth. Children say the top numbers in order while the bottom number stays the same. Counting backwards is just as useful, because it shows how the numbers are connected. A rocket fuel tank gives children a picture to hold in mind. They can see the tank fill up and empty.
Rocket facts
- A rocket carries fuel that helps push it upwards.
- A countdown counts backwards to zero before a launch.
- A fuel tank is a container that holds fuel.
- Space rockets are launched from places called launch sites.
Skills and curriculum link
- Counting in tenths
- Equal parts of a whole
- Reading fractions
- Counting backwards
- Number patterns
- Explaining thinking
Helpful ideas about tenths
- Equal partsTenths only work when the whole is split into parts that are exactly the same size. Check the tank sections before you shade.
- The bottom numberIn a tenth, the bottom number tells you how many equal parts make the whole. It stays the same as you count.
- The top numberThe top number counts how many parts you have. When you count up or down, this is the number that changes.
- Counting onCounting in tenths follows the same pattern as counting in ones. It helps to say the number and the word tenths together.
Key words
- TenthOne of ten equal parts of a whole.
- WholeA complete object or amount, before it is split into parts.
- Equal partsParts that are exactly the same size.
- NumeratorThe top number of a fraction. It tells you how many parts you have.
- DenominatorThe bottom number of a fraction. It tells you how many equal parts make the whole.
- Number lineA line with numbers in order. You can point to it and count along.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Read the top box together. Talk about what a fuel tank split into tenths would look like.
- Let your child draw and shade first. Check that the tank parts look equal in size.
- Work through the countdowns together the first time. Ask your child to say each sequence aloud before writing the missing numbers.
- Check against page 2. Ask, "How did you know what came next?" Come back another day to repeat the tricky ones.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Draw a number line from 0 to 2 and mark every tenth. Your child can point to each mark and say the fraction as they go. Cover the gaps with a finger, say the pattern aloud, then check by pointing.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to write their own countdown in tenths that crosses 1 and leaves two gaps for a partner to fill. Then they can write a refuel sequence that goes up, and explain how they chose where to start.
Make it a game
Say the sequences aloud like a launch crew. One person says the first fraction, then each person adds the next one in turn. Count down together and shout lift off when the count reaches 0.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child draws a tank with parts of different sizes and calls them tenths.
Try thisUse a ruler to mark equal sections. Ask, "Are all the parts the same size?" before any shading.
Watch forA child changes the bottom number as they count, for example writing a different denominator in each step.
Try thisRemind them the whole is split into tenths, so the bottom number stays the same. Say the pattern aloud and point to each top number.
Watch forA child stops at one whole and thinks the counting cannot go further.
Try thisShow the number line going past 1. Explain that tenths keep counting on after the whole, in the same way.
Talk about it
- What does a tenth mean?
- How can you check that the tank parts are equal?
- What changes when we count up in tenths, and what stays the same?
- What do you notice when you count backwards?
- How did you know which number was missing?
- How would you explain tenths to a younger child?
Take it off the page
Launch walk
Lay out paper marks on the floor, evenly spaced. Walk along them saying each tenth, then walk back for a countdown. Take care to space the marks the same distance apart.
Tenths tower
Build a tower from ten blocks of the same size. Take blocks away one at a time and say what fraction of the tower is left. Then rebuild it.
Design a rocket
Draw a rocket with a fuel tank split into ten equal parts. Shade some parts and write the fraction underneath. Swap drawings with someone and read each other's.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go, then let them lead. Short sessions work well. If they get stuck, go back to the drawing and ask them to count the shaded parts aloud.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task or homework. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas, so it suits mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Pair it with everyday talk about fractions, such as sharing a bar into equal parts. It prints again for brothers, sisters or revision, and the number line idea works well with a home educated group.
Where this fits
Before this, children have usually met halves and quarters and counted in steps such as twos, fives and tens. They have seen that a whole can be split into equal parts. This sheet builds on that by looking at one new unit, the tenth.
After tenths, children move on to comparing and adding fractions with the same denominator. In Key Stage 2 they also link tenths to decimals. The picture of ten equal parts, and the habit of counting along a number line, will help with all of that.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Tenths Rocket Countdown for?
It is written for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8), in Key Stage 2. Older children who need extra practice with counting in tenths may find it useful too, and younger confident children can try it with support.
- What will children practise?
Children practise counting up and down in tenths and seeing that tenths come from splitting one whole into ten equal parts. They also read fractions and complete number patterns that cross one whole.
- How do I use it?
Read the top box together. Children draw and shade first, then complete each countdown. Check that the tank parts look equal in size. Use page 2 for notes and answers once they have finished.
- What if it feels too hard?
Draw a number line from 0 to 2 marked in tenths so your child can point and count along. Work through the first sequence together and say the numbers aloud before writing anything.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters, or revision a few weeks later.
- How long does it take?
It depends on the child, so there is no set time. Stop when your child needs a break and come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar sheet builds confidence.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children can add colour themselves when they shade the fuel tanks, if they like.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.