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Skip count in twos forwards and backwards

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can skip count in twos going forwards and backwards and notice the pattern in the count.

Key learning points

  1. When counting forwards in twos, the ones digit follows the pattern 0, 2, 4, 6, 8
  2. When counting backwards in twos, the ones digit follows the pattern 8, 6, 4, 2, 0
  3. We can use the pattern when counting to help us remember the numbers.

Keywords

  • Twos - We can skip count in 'twos', or the multiples of two.

Common misconception

Children often miss out 12 when reciting the multiples of two due to the irregularity and not hearing the 'two' in twelve.

Make deliberate errors around this and use practical objects to show the effect of adding two to ten. Orally rehearse counting in twos, both through and from 10.

Teacher tip

Confidence in counting in twos must be developed through frequent practice across the year as it lays the foundation for multiplying by 2 in Year 2. Provide opportunities to sing songs and recall rhymes that aid this and, wherever possible, count real objects grouped in twos.

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.
What is the missing number?

An image in a quiz
7
Correct answer: 8
9

Q2.
Sam is counting the even numbers. What is the next number she will say?

An image in a quiz
5
Correct answer: 6
8

Q3.
When counting forwards in twos, which of the following is correct?

2 4 8 6 10
2 4 6 10
Correct answer: 2 4 6 8 10

Q4.
What is the previous even number?

An image in a quiz
7
Correct answer: 6
4

Q5.
When counting backwards in the even numbers, which of the following is incorrect?

10, 6, 4, 2, 0
Correct answer: 8, 6, 4, 2
8, 7, 6, 4, 2, 0

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

1 - 10
2 - 8
3 - 6
4 - 4
5 - 2
6 - 0

6 Questions

Q1.
Fill in the missing number. 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18, 20

Correct Answer: 14

Q2.
Sam counts forward in twos starting from 8 What are the next numbers she says?

Correct answer: 10, 12, 14
10, 14, 16
12, 14, 18

Q3.
Jacob is counting backwards in twos on the Gattegno chart. What is the next number he will say? Jacob will say next.

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 12

Q4.
Put these numbers in the order you would count when counting backwards in twos.

1 - 20
2 - 18
3 - 16
4 - 14
5 - 12

Q5.
Which number will Sam say if she is counting forwards from 14 to 20?

12
Correct answer: 16
10

Q6.
Jacob is counting backwards from 14 to 8 in twos. Which of the following numbers will he say?

16
Correct answer: 10
11

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