Count efficiently in groups of two
I can count in groups of two and identify how many groups there are.
Count efficiently in groups of two
I can count in groups of two and identify how many groups there are.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Objects can be put into groups of 2 to make them easier to count.
- It is more efficient to skip count in twos instead of ones.
- Groups of 2 can be called twos.
- Counting back in twos from the amount altogether can be used to check that the count was accurate.
Keywords
Groups of 2 - Groups of two objects that can be counted in twos.
Twos - Another name for the multiples of two or even numbers.
Altogether - The amount in the whole set or group.
Accurately - An accurate result means a result that is correct.
Efficiently - Not wasting time or effort. An efficient strategy is one we can carry out easily.
Common misconception
Children may confuse the number of groups with the amount altogether, for example, they may count 3 groups of 2 as 3 not 6 They may also confuse the number of groups with the group size.
Draw a ring around each group of 2 whilst using the stem sentence to help describe what you are seeing as you identify each group.
To help you plan your year 1 maths lesson on: Count efficiently in groups of two, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 1 maths lesson on: Count efficiently in groups of two, 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 Unitising and coin recognition - counting in 2s, 5s and 10s unit, dive into the full primary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Fill in the missing number.
12, 14 , 16, ___, 20
Q2.Sam is counting forwards in twos starting from 10 What are the next numbers she will say?
Q3.Put these numbers in the order you would count if counting forwards in twos.
Q4.Jacob is counting backwards in twos. What is the next number he will say?

Q5.Put these numbers in the order you would count if counting backwards in twos.
Q6.The children are counting backwards in twos. Who is correct?



Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Fill in the missing number.
There are ___ groups of 2

Q2.Fill in the missing number.
There are ___ apples altogether.

Q3.Which of the following can be easily counted in twos?



Q4.True or false, there are 6 twos.

Q5.Which of the following describes the groups shown in the picture?

Q6.Jacob counts the wheels in twos and Sam counts backwards to check. Which of the following will Sam say to check Jacob is correct?
