- Year 1
Counting and comparing
I can use my knowledge of counting forwards and backwards to and from 100 and comparing numbers within 20 when solving problems.
- Year 1
Counting and comparing
I can use my knowledge of counting forwards and backwards to and from 100 and comparing numbers within 20 when solving problems.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- When we count a number of objects, we can use a range of strategies to find the total.
- We can start a count from any number and count forwards or backwards.
- We can use 'greater than', 'less than' and 'equal to' to compare numbers.
- We can represent these using the mathematical symbols > , < and =
Keywords
Strategy - A plan or method to achieve a specific goal.
More than - Greater quantity or value.
Greater than - Bigger/larger in value or size.
Less than - Smaller in size referring to abstract or continuous number. E.g. less water, fewer drops.
Common misconception
Mistakes when counting in ones. Children may not be able to visualise numbers to see which is more/greater than, less than or equal to.
Children should continue to practise counting forwards and backwards from a given number to increase confidence of counting within 100. Use number lines or one hundred squares to help children visualise numbers and support comparison.
To help you plan your year 1 maths lesson on: Counting and comparing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 1 maths lesson on: Counting and comparing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 maths lessons from the Solving problems in a range of contexts unit, dive into the full primary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Lucas is counting forwards. What is the last number he will say in his count?
Q2.Which number comes next in each count?
10
20
30
40
Q3.What does each symbol represent when comparing numbers?
is less than
is equal to
is greater than
Q4.Which expressions are correct?
Q5.Match the statement to the correct number.
31
25
29
Q6.True or false. When counting from 35 to 54, I will say the number 45
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What number will come next when you complete the count?
65
30
56
Q2.Aisha used the strategy of counting leaves in twos. How many leaves altogether?
Q3.Sam used the strategy of counting leaves in fives. She has two groups of 5 and one more leaf. How many leaves altogether?
Q4.Match the statement to the correct number.
18
19
17
16
Q5.The children compared their scores from a running race. Andeep scored 14 Jun scored 12
Which statements are correct?
Q6.Laura and Alex timed their race. Which is the correct symbol to use when comparing their scores?
