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      Counting forwards and backwards within 10

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can count forwards and backwards within 10, saying the number words in sequence.

      Key learning points

      1. Revisit number names to 10, and know the order of them will not change (stable-order principle).
      2. Know that we can start our verbal count from any given number within 10.

      Keywords

      • Count - Count means to say the number names in order and to count a set to find out how many there are.

      • One to ten - The number names one to ten are the first ten numbers in our counting system.

      • Forwards - Counting forwards we say the numbers from smallest to largest.

      • Backwards - Counting backwards we say the number from largest to smallest.

      Common misconception

      Saying number names out of order or missing a number name in the sequence.

      Repeat the number names in the correct order, emphasising the correction made.

      Teacher tip

      These slides are not needed for this lesson, they simply act to aid lesson design and delivery. As the focus is on saying the number words in sequence, children do not need to be shown the numeral representation of each number.

      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 is a number word?

      Car
      Door
      Correct answer: One

      Q2.
      Which of these is a number word?

      Correct answer: Five
      Fingers
      Hands

      Q3.
      Which of these is a number word?

      A
      B
      Correct answer: Three

      Q4.
      Which are not number words?

      One
      Correct answer: B
      Correct answer: C

      Q5.
      Which number word would you say next? 1, 2, 3, 4 ...

      4
      Correct answer: 5
      1

      Q6.
      Which number word would you say next? 2, 3, ...

      5
      1
      Correct answer: 4

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Count forwards from 1. What will the next number in the count be?

      An image in a quiz
      5
      Correct answer: 6
      7

      Q2.
      Count forwards from 5. What will the next number in the count be?

      An image in a quiz
      7
      8
      Correct answer: 9

      Q3.
      Count backwards from 10. What will the next number in the count be?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: 4
      5
      6

      Q4.
      Count backwards from 5. What will the next number in the count be?

      An image in a quiz
      5
      4
      Correct answer: 3

      Q5.
      If we miss a number in our count, we can correct ourselves. Count forwards from 1. Which number is missing?

      An image in a quiz
      4
      Correct answer: 5
      6

      Q6.
      If we miss a number in our count, we can correct ourselves. Count backwards from 10. Which number is missing?

      An image in a quiz
      10
      Correct answer: 9
      8

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