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      Counting forwards and backwards in 10s to 50

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can recite the decade number names from 0-50, going forwards and backwards, and notice the patterns in the count.

      Key learning points

      1. Decade numbers are used when counting forwards and backwards in tens.
      2. You can start counting in tens from any decade number.
      3. A 100 square can be used to help you count the decade numbers.

      Keywords

      • Number names 10 to 50 - E.g. 'ten' for 10

      • Decade numbers - These are the multiples of ten which mark the tens boundary where the pattern of counting changes.

      Common misconception

      May confuse decade number names with teen numbers e.g. thirteen, thirty.

      Regular identification and discussion of common errors with opportunities to correct them within this lesson can be replicated beyond it.

      Teacher tip

      This lesson involves oral rehearsal and interaction with key representations. As before, the slides simply act to aid lesson design and delivery. In daily routines, practise counting to 100 and beyond, including saying the number names, enumerating a quantity of objects and pointing to numerals.

      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

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which of these picture shows 10 objects?

      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q2.
      What number do the fingers represent?

      An image in a quiz
      10
      Correct answer: 9
      5
      4

      Q3.
      Which number will come next when counting forwards?

      An image in a quiz
      7
      5
      Correct answer: 9

      Q4.
      When counting these numbers backwards, which will you say first?

      Correct answer: 7
      4
      5
      6

      Q5.
      Put these numbers in the order you would say when counting forwards.

      1 - 4
      2 - 5
      3 - 6
      4 - 7

      Q6.
      Put these numbers in the order you would say them when counting backwards.

      1 - 8
      2 - 7
      3 - 6
      4 - 5

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which of the following is not a decade number?

      50
      30
      Correct answer: 15

      Q2.
      Andeep is counting forwards in tens. What is the next number he will say?

      An image in a quiz
      20
      Correct answer: 30
      40

      Q3.
      I want to count forwards in tens starting from 30. What is the next number I will say?

      20
      Correct answer: 40
      30

      Q4.
      Laura is counting backwards in tens. What mistake has been made?

      An image in a quiz
      She said the numbers in the wrong order.
      Correct answer: A number has been missed out.
      She muddled up the teens and the decade numbers.

      Q5.
      Put these numbers in the order you would say when counting forwards in tens.

      1 - 20
      2 - 30
      3 - 40

      Q6.
      Put these numbers in the order you would say when counting backwards in tens.

      1 - 40
      2 - 30
      3 - 20

      To help you plan your 1 maths lesson on: Counting forwards and backwards in 10s to 50, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...