Counting objects one by one practice | Year 1

The idea

Give each object one number as you count: one, two, three, and so on. The last number you say tells you how many objects there are altogether. Moving the same objects apart does not change how many there are.

Before you begin: Say the counting numbers from one to ten. You can point to each counter as you go.

Worked example

How many counters are in the picture? Start at the top left and count each row.

How many counters?

Count each counter once, following the labels: one, two, three, four, five, six.

Step 1

Point to the three counters in the top row. Say one number for each counter.

1, 2, 3

Step 2

Keep counting along the bottom row. Do not start again at one.

4, 5, 6

Step 3

The last number is six. There are six counters altogether.

6 counters

A mistake to avoid

Count every counter once. If you lose your place, start again and point to each counter as you say its number.

Your turn.

Four shells are on a mat. One more shell is added. How many shells are on the mat now?

4 + 1 = □

Show the solution

4 + 1 = 5

Start at four and count on one more: five. There are now five shells.