Collected Resources

Counting

FLIPPY, FLOPPY FINGERS

• Take a number, e.g. 4, off the pegged number line. Say the number together. Four. Say: Flippy, floppy, flippy, floppy, show me!
• Children show four fingers standing up. They must use both hands! E.g. 2 fingers standing up on one hand, and 2 on the other, or 1 standing on one hand and 3 on the other. They could show 4 and none.
• Ask: Who’s showing three and one? Those children stand up.
• Who’s showing two and two? Those children stand up.
• Who’s showing four and none? Those children stand up.
• Play again, using a different number, e.g. 3 or 5.

BIG FIVE

• Write 5 big on the board.
• Say a smaller number, e.g. two. Children must show you how many fingers go with two to make 5.
• Repeat, saying a different number.
• Rehearse all combinations.
• Can be repeated for BIG FOUR or BIG SIX.

Chants/Rhymes/Songs

Recite the rhyme Peas in a Pod, matching to 1 finger, 2 fingers, etc. until the pea pod pops (see resources).

Story

Five Creatures by Emily Jenkins. This story lends itself well to partitioning five.

Counting

Sit children in a circle. Pass a teddy round the circle as you count. Pass teddy back again as you count back, slowly at first, gathering pace until teddy reaches 1.

Split the class into 2 groups. Count to 100 using 1-100 grid, each half of the class saying alternate lines on the grid.

Give 10 children cards 10, 20, 30… 100. Use 1-100 grid to aid counting to 100, children stand up and show their cards when their number is said. Other children use fingers to count each 10, waving 1 hand or 2 for nos. ending in 5 or 0.

Chants/Rhymes/Songs

Sing songs or say rhymes which start with one object/ character and add one more each time, e.g. One man went to mow or Dinosaurs to Ten. Ask children to be the objects or characters.

Story

One Elephant Went Out to Play by Sanja Rešcek (illustrator).