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Lesson 6 of 15
Lesson 6 of 15
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Subitising numbers to five
I can recognise amounts to five without counting them.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Know subitising is recognising how many things are in a group without having to count them one by one.
- See regular arrangements of small quantities e.g. a die face.
- Recognise small amounts up to five when they are not in the regular arrangement.
Keywords
Subitise - To subitise means instantly recognizing the number of objects in a small group, without counting.
Amount - A quantity of something.
How many - You ask how many when you want to know the number in a set or group.
Common misconception
Reliance on counting strategies. Not recognising combinations of smaller quantities within 5
Play games involving dice outside of the lesson to encourage subitising of more familiar arrangements. Then, look at those unfamiliar, such as the way a group of cubes appears when dropped onto a table. 'I can see ___ and ___. I can see ___!'
The slides do not need to be shown to the pupils. They could be printed and used as flashcards to support the development of subitising. Leaving images displayed for too long will encourage children to resort to counting strategies in identifying 'how many' rather than seeing and saying the number.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
Download quiz pdf
6 Questions
Q1.Say the count. What will be the next number in the count?
Say the count. What will be the next number in the count?
4
6
Q2.Count the people. How many people are in the group?
Count the people. How many people are in the group?
2
3
4
Q3.Count the pieces of fruit. How many pieces of fruit are there?
Count the pieces of fruit. How many pieces of fruit are there?
4
6
7
Q4.How many cubes can you count here in total?
How many cubes can you count here in total?
3
4
6
8
Q5.Look at the hands. Which one shows 3 fingers?
Look at the hands. Which one shows 3 fingers?
Q6.How many counters can you see?
How many counters can you see?
3
5
6
Assessment exit quiz
Download quiz pdf
6 Questions
Q1.Don’t count - see the amount. How many fingers can you see?
Don’t count - see the amount. How many fingers can you see?
1
2
4
5
Q2.Don’t count - see the amount. How many leaves can you see?
Don’t count - see the amount. How many leaves can you see?
2
3
5
Q3.How many stones can you see? Don't count - see the amount.
How many stones can you see? Don't count - see the amount.
2
4
5
Q4.Don’t count - see the amount. How many counters are in the group?
Don’t count - see the amount. How many counters are in the group?
1
2
3
4
Q5.Don’t count - see the amount. How many counters are in the group?
Don’t count - see the amount. How many counters are in the group?
1
2
3
5
Q6.Don’t count - see the amount. How many dots are in the group?
Don’t count - see the amount. How many dots are in the group?
1
2
3
5