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Counting and estimating
Counting
Count around the circle from 1 to the number in the class. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5! The 5th child waves one hand, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10th child waves 2 hands, 11… 15, 15th child waves one hand, and so on. Repeat, starting at a different place in the circle.
On other occasions, count to 100 in unison with children using their fingers to match the units. Emphasise numbers ending in 0 and 5.
Chants/Rhymes/Songs
Ten Green Bottles – counting back from 10 to 0.
Story
Ten Little Dinosaurs or Ten Little Robots or Ten Little Pirates by Mike Brownlow.
Counting to ten then back again. How many dinosaurs will there be now? Point at numerals for children to recognise and say out loud. Count quickly on and back using the pages, then slowly, then in a high voice, then in a low voice
Order and compare numbers
Counting
Give each child in the class a card with a number between 1 and 20.
Together, count along the washing line from 1 to 20.
Then children close their eyes whilst you turn round 3 cards so their numbers are not visible. Children open eyes and hold up their card if they think it’s one of the missing numbers. They explain where it is on the line.
Repeat several times across the unit, swapping children’s numbers.
Chants/Rhymes/Songs
Ten in the bed (see resources for lyrics).
Story
Hippos Go Berserk! by Sandra Boynton.
One hippo calls another hippo. so now there are two. Then another hippo is called to make three. So the story proceeds… Children love it when they go berserk!
You could print pictures of hippos and ask children to come up to form a human number line as each new hippo is added, reinforcing this unit’s theme of ordering and comparing numbers.