Counting to 10
By the end of this chapter you will be able to
- I can count things to 10, touching each one once
- I can say how many there are: the last number I count
- I know that zero means none, and I can write 0
- I can read and write the numbers 0 to 10 in numerals and words
- I can see how many dots there are on a dice up to 5 without counting every dot
- I can count on and back on a number track to 10
You should already know
- Early counting at home and nursery
- Knowing that zero means nothing
Where this leads
- Numbers to 20 (Chapter 2)
- Comparing quantities (Chapter 3)
Early Years Foundation Stage for England, maths. Content: Count reliably to 10, one object for each number word, Say how many there are when counting: the last number counted, Know number names and numerals 0 to 10, and that zero means none, Recognise small amounts up to 5 at a glance, Count forwards and backwards to 10 in order.
Exercise P Do you remember?
Non-calculatorMethod. Count the fingers on one hand, one at a time.
- Hold up one hand. Each finger is one thing to count.1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- Count the thumb too. The thumb counts as one of the five.The thumb makes 5.
- Write the answer. 5
Check. Count the fingers on your other hand. It is the same. ✓
Watch out. Do not forget the thumb.
Method. Think about a bike you have seen.
- Look at the back wheel. A bike has a wheel at the back.1 wheel
- Look at the front wheel. A bike has a wheel at the front too.1 + 1
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Touch each wheel once: 1, 2. ✓
Watch out. Count the front and the back wheel.
Method. Find 3 on the number line. Then look at the next number.
- Find 3. Put your finger on the 3.3
- Look at the next box. The next number is one more.3 + 1 = 4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Count 1, 2, 3, 4. Four comes after three. ✓
Watch out. Use the number after 3, not 3 again.
Method. Think about your own face.
- Find the eyes. You have one eye on each side of your nose.left eye, right eye
- Count them. Count each eye once.1, 2
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Close one eye, then the other. Two eyes altogether. ✓
Watch out. Each eye is counted once.
Method. Count up from 2 and from 5 on the number line.
- Find 2 and 5. Put a finger on each number.2 and 5
- Think about the order. Bigger numbers come later when we count.5 comes after 2
- Write the answer. 5
Check. Count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Five comes last, so it is bigger. ✓
Watch out. The bigger number comes later when we count.
Counting objects, one at a time
Amira has a basket of apples. She wants to know how many there are.
She touches each apple and says one number at a time: 1, 2, 3.
Counting means saying one number for each thing, in order. Touch each thing once. The last number you say tells you how many there are.
Key ideas
- Say one number for each thing, in order.
- Touch each thing only once.
- The last number you say tells how many there are.
Key words. To count means to say one number for each thing, in order.
Method. Touch each one once and say one number for each. The last number is how many there are.
- Touch and count each one. Each thing gets one number, in order.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Look at the last number you said. The last number tells us how many there are.The last number is 6.
- Write the answer. There are 6 apples.
Check. Count from the other side. You get 6 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one aside as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Key words. To count means to say one number for each thing, in order.
Method. Touch each one once and say one number for each. The last number is how many there are.
- Touch and count each one. Each thing gets one number, in order.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
- Look at the last number you said. The last number tells us how many there are.The last number is 9.
- Write the answer. There are 9 stars.
Check. Count from the other side. You get 9 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one aside as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Key words. To count means to say one number for each thing, in order.
Method. Touch each one once and say one number for each. The last number is how many there are.
- Touch and count each one. Each thing gets one number, in order.1, 2, 3, 4
- Look at the last number you said. The last number tells us how many there are.The last number is 4.
- Write the answer. There are 4 balls.
Check. Count from the other side. You get 4 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one aside as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Watch out
Watch out: if you touch the same apple twice, you will say a number too many. Move each thing aside as you count it.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Use real things at home, such as buttons, pasta shapes or toy cars. Ask your child to move each one as they count it. Then ask: “How many altogether?”
Exercise 1A Counting things
Non-calculatorKey words. To count means to say one number for each thing, in order.
Method. Touch each one once and say one number for each. The last number is how many there are.
- Touch and count each one. Each thing gets one number, in order.1, 2, 3
- Look at the last number you said. The last number tells us how many there are.The last number is 3.
- Write the answer. There are 3 apples.
Check. Count from the other side. You get 3 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one aside as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Key words. To count means to say one number for each thing, in order.
Method. Touch each one once and say one number for each. The last number is how many there are.
- Touch and count each one. Each thing gets one number, in order.1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- Look at the last number you said. The last number tells us how many there are.The last number is 5.
- Write the answer. There are 5 stars.
Check. Count from the other side. You get 5 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one aside as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Key words. To count means to say one number for each thing, in order.
Method. Touch each one once and say one number for each. The last number is how many there are.
- Touch and count each one. Each thing gets one number, in order.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
- Look at the last number you said. The last number tells us how many there are.The last number is 8.
- Write the answer. There are 8 balls.
Check. Count from the other side. You get 8 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one aside as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Key words. To count means to say one number for each thing, in order.
Method. Touch each one once and say one number for each. The last number is how many there are.
- Touch and count each one. Each thing gets one number, in order.1, 2
- Look at the last number you said. The last number tells us how many there are.The last number is 2.
- Write the answer. There are 2 cubes.
Check. Count from the other side. You get 2 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one aside as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Key words. To count means to say one number for each thing, in order.
Method. Touch each one once and say one number for each. The last number is how many there are.
- Touch and count each one. Each thing gets one number, in order.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
- Look at the last number you said. The last number tells us how many there are.The last number is 10.
- Write the answer. There are 10 apples.
Check. Count from the other side. You get 10 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one aside as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Key words. To count means to say one number for each thing, in order.
Method. Touch each one once and say one number for each. The last number is how many there are.
- Touch and count each one. Each thing gets one number, in order.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
- Look at the last number you said. The last number tells us how many there are.The last number is 7.
- Write the answer. There are 7 stars.
Check. Count from the other side. You get 7 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one aside as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Key words. To count means to say one number for each thing, in order.
Method. Touch each one once and say one number for each. The last number is how many there are.
- Touch and count each one. Each thing gets one number, in order.1, 2, 3, 4
- Look at the last number you said. The last number tells us how many there are.The last number is 4.
- Write the answer. There are 4 apples.
Check. Count from the other side. You get 4 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one aside as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Key words. To count means to say one number for each thing, in order.
Method. Touch each one once and say one number for each. The last number is how many there are.
- Touch and count each one. Each thing gets one number, in order.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Look at the last number you said. The last number tells us how many there are.The last number is 6.
- Write the answer. There are 6 stars.
Check. Count from the other side. You get 6 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one aside as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Key words. To count means to say one number for each thing, in order.
Method. Touch each one once and say one number for each. The last number is how many there are.
- Touch and count each one. Each thing gets one number, in order.1, 2, 3
- Look at the last number you said. The last number tells us how many there are.The last number is 3.
- Write the answer. There are 3 balls.
Check. Count from the other side. You get 3 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one aside as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Key words. To count means to say one number for each thing, in order.
Method. Touch each one once and say one number for each. The last number is how many there are.
- Touch and count each one. Each thing gets one number, in order.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Look at the last number you said. The last number tells us how many there are.The last number is 6.
- Write the answer. There are 6 stars.
Check. Count from the other side. You get 6 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one aside as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Method. Count all the cubes, one at a time, including the new one.
- Count the cubes in the picture. Touch each cube once.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
- Look at the last number. The last number is how many there are.The last number is 10.
- Write the answer. 10
Check. Sam had 9 and added 1, so he has 10. ✓
Watch out. Count the new cube too.
Method. Count the balls again, one at a time, and check the last number.
- Count the balls again. Touch each ball once.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
- Compare with what Ben said. Ben said 9, but the last number was 8.Ben said 9. The count ends at 8.
- Write the answer. The last number tells how many.He counted one too many. There are 8 balls.
Check. Count from the other side. You get 8 again. ✓
Watch out. Touch each ball once and do not skip any.
Method. Count every thing in both rows, one at a time, without starting again.
- Count the stars in row a. Touch each star once.1, 2, 3, 4
- Carry on with row b. Keep going from 4. Do not start again at 1.5, 6, 7
- Write the answer. The last number is the total.7 things altogether.
Check. Count from the other side. You get 7 again. ✓
Watch out. Keep your count going from row to row.
Method. Look at the numbers Ravi said. Are any missing?
- Check the numbers in order. Each number is one more than the one before.1, 2, 4, 5
- Find the missing number. After 2 comes 3, so Ravi missed 3.3 is missing
- Write the answer. Count again with all the numbers.He missed 3. There are 5 stars.
Check. Count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 to check. ✓
Watch out. Do not skip a number when you count.
Method. A good answer says two things: each thing is touched once, and the last number is the total.
- Say what you did. You touch each ball and say one number for it.Touch each one once
- Say what the last number means. The last number tells how many there are.Last number = total
- Write the answer. Accept any answer that says each ball is touched once and the last number is how many.
Check. If you count 6 balls and touch each one once, the last number is 6. ✓
Watch out. Both parts matter: touch once, and use the last number.
Zero means none
Jack has an empty bag for his shopping. There is nothing inside.
How many things are in the bag? There are none. We say zero and write it as 0.
Zero is a number too. It comes before one.
Key ideas
- Zero means none at all.
- We write zero as 0.
- Zero comes before 1.
Key words. Zero means none at all. We write it as 0.
Method. When there is nothing to count, the answer is zero.
- Look inside the empty bag. Check every place a thing could be.No sweets at all.
- Say the number for none. Zero means there are none.Nothing to count.
- Write the answer. 0
Check. Zero is a number. We write it as 0. ✓
Watch out. Write 0 when there are none. Do not leave the answer empty.
Key words. Zero means none at all. We write it as 0.
Method. When there is nothing to count, the answer is zero.
- Look inside the empty bag. Check every place a thing could be.No fish at all.
- Say the number for none. Zero means there are none.Nothing to count.
- Write the answer. 0
Check. Zero is a number. We write it as 0. ✓
Watch out. Write 0 when there are none. Do not leave the answer empty.
Key words. Zero means none at all. We write it as 0.
Method. When there is nothing to count, the answer is zero.
- Look inside the empty bag. Check every place a thing could be.No pencils at all.
- Say the number for none. Zero means there are none.Nothing to count.
- Write the answer. 0
Check. Zero is a number. We write it as 0. ✓
Watch out. Write 0 when there are none. Do not leave the answer empty.
Watch out
Watch out: an empty box is not a blank answer. When there is nothing to count, write 0.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Put an empty cup next to a cup with three buttons in it. Ask: “Which cup has none?” Then ask: “What number do we write for none?”
Exercise 1B Zero and none
Non-calculatorKey words. Zero means none at all. We write it as 0.
Method. When there is nothing to count, the answer is zero.
- Look inside the empty bag. Check every place a thing could be.No sweets at all.
- Say the number for none. Zero means there are none.Nothing to count.
- Write the answer. 0
Check. Zero is a number. We write it as 0. ✓
Watch out. Write 0 when there are none. Do not leave the answer empty.
Key words. Zero means none at all. We write it as 0.
Method. When there is nothing to count, the answer is zero.
- Look inside the empty bag. Check every place a thing could be.No apples at all.
- Say the number for none. Zero means there are none.Nothing to count.
- Write the answer. 0
Check. Zero is a number. We write it as 0. ✓
Watch out. Write 0 when there are none. Do not leave the answer empty.
Key words. Zero means none at all. We write it as 0.
Method. When there is nothing to count, the answer is zero.
- Look inside the empty bag. Check every place a thing could be.No things at all.
- Say the number for none. Zero means there are none.Nothing to count.
- Write the answer. 0
Check. Zero is a number. We write it as 0. ✓
Watch out. Write 0 when there are none. Do not leave the answer empty.
Key words. Zero means none at all. We write it as 0.
Method. When there is nothing to count, the answer is zero.
- Look inside the empty bag. Check every place a thing could be.No coins at all.
- Say the number for none. Zero means there are none.Nothing to count.
- Write the answer. 0
Check. Zero is a number. We write it as 0. ✓
Watch out. Write 0 when there are none. Do not leave the answer empty.
Method. Think about which number means none.
- Think about none. None means there is nothing to count.none = nothing
- Look at the choices. 10 means ten things, so it is not none.10 = ten things
- Write the answer. 0
Check. Zero is the number with no things. ✓
Watch out. Ten is a lot of things. None is zero.
Key words. Zero means none at all. We write it as 0.
Method. When there is nothing to count, the answer is zero.
- Look inside the empty bag. Check every place a thing could be.No pencils at all.
- Say the number for none. Zero means there are none.Nothing to count.
- Write the answer. 0
Check. Zero is a number. We write it as 0. ✓
Watch out. Write 0 when there are none. Do not leave the answer empty.
Method. Count the cubes Ali has at the start. Then think about what is left.
- Count the cubes at the start. Touch each cube once.1, 2, 3
- Give all of them away. None are left in his hands.Left: nothing
- Write the answer. When there is nothing left, the answer is zero.0
Check. Count the cubes Ali has now: none. Zero. ✓
Watch out. Zero is the answer when everything is gone.
Method. Start with the bag that has no apples. Then add the apples Ali puts in.
- Start with 0 apples. Zero is where we start.0 apples
- Put in 2 apples. Count on from zero: 1, 2.0, 1, 2
- Write the answer. 2 apples
Check. Count the apples in the bag: 1, 2. ✓
Watch out. Count on from zero, one at a time.
Method. Count what is in each bag.
- Count the empty bag. There is nothing in it.0
- Count the other bag. There is one apple in it.1
- Compare the two numbers. 1 is bigger than 0, so that bag has more.1 is more than 0
- Write the answer. The bag with 1 apple
Check. Zero is less than 1. ✓
Watch out. Zero is the smallest number of things.
Method. Think about whether zero is a number we can count with.
- Look at what zero means. Zero means none, and we write it as 0.0 = none
- Compare it with other numbers. We can put zero on a number line, before 1.0, 1, 2, 3
- Write the answer. No. Zero is a number, and it means none.
Check. Zero is on the number line, so it is a number. ✓
Watch out. Zero is a number. It means there are none.
Method. A good answer gives an example where there is nothing to count.
- Think of a time when there is none. Zero is needed when a box, bag or plate is empty.an empty plate
- Say how many there are. We write 0 for none.There are 0 biscuits left.
- Write the answer. Accept any answer with an example of none, such as: there are 0 biscuits left.
Check. Your example must show that there are none. ✓
Watch out. Use an example where nothing is left.
Number words and numerals to 10
Priya is making a birthday card. It says her age: seven.
A numeral is a number written with digits, like 7. A number word is its name, like seven. Both mean the same number.
| Numeral | Word | Numeral | Word |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | zero | 6 | six |
| 1 | one | 7 | seven |
| 2 | two | 8 | eight |
| 3 | three | 9 | nine |
| 4 | four | 10 | ten |
| 5 | five |
Key ideas
- A numeral is a number written with digits, like 7.
- A number word is its name, like seven.
- Zero is 0, and it is the first number.
Key words. A numeral is a number written with digits, like 7.
Method. Read the number word, then find it on the number list.
- Read the whole word. Read every letter, not just the first one.“seven”
- Find the word on the list. Each word matches one number.seven = 7
- Write the numeral. A numeral is a number written with digits.7
Check. Count 7 things. The last number you say is 7. ✓
Watch out. Check the spelling of the word before you write the numeral.
Key words. The number word is the name of the number, like seven.
Method. Say the number, then write its name in words.
- Look at the numeral. Find it on the number list.4
- Find its name. Every number has one name.4 = four
- Write the word, one letter at a time. The word has 4 letters.four
Check. Count 4 things and say “four” at the end. ✓
Watch out. Look at the whole word. “Six” and “seven” are different numbers.
Key words. The number word is the name of the number, like seven.
Method. Say the number, then write its name in words.
- Look at the numeral. Find it on the number list.9
- Find its name. Every number has one name.9 = nine
- Write the word, one letter at a time. The word has 4 letters.nine
Check. Count 9 things and say “nine” at the end. ✓
Watch out. Look at the whole word. “Six” and “seven” are different numbers.
Watch out
Watch out: six and seven start with the same letter but they are different numbers. Look at the whole word.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Write each numeral big on paper, then write its word under it. Do not worry about neat writing yet. Say the word and find it on the card together.
Exercise 1C Numerals and words
Non-calculatorKey words. A numeral is a number written with digits, like 7.
Method. Read the number word, then find it on the number list.
- Read the whole word. Read every letter, not just the first one.“five”
- Find the word on the list. Each word matches one number.five = 5
- Write the numeral. A numeral is a number written with digits.5
Check. Count 5 things. The last number you say is 5. ✓
Watch out. Check the spelling of the word before you write the numeral.
Key words. A numeral is a number written with digits, like 7.
Method. Read the number word, then find it on the number list.
- Read the whole word. Read every letter, not just the first one.“eight”
- Find the word on the list. Each word matches one number.eight = 8
- Write the numeral. A numeral is a number written with digits.8
Check. Count 8 things. The last number you say is 8. ✓
Watch out. Check the spelling of the word before you write the numeral.
Key words. The number word is the name of the number, like seven.
Method. Say the number, then write its name in words.
- Look at the numeral. Find it on the number list.3
- Find its name. Every number has one name.3 = three
- Write the word, one letter at a time. The word has 5 letters.three
Check. Count 3 things and say “three” at the end. ✓
Watch out. Look at the whole word. “Six” and “seven” are different numbers.
Key words. The number word is the name of the number, like seven.
Method. Say the number, then write its name in words.
- Look at the numeral. Find it on the number list.10
- Find its name. Every number has one name.10 = ten
- Write the word, one letter at a time. The word has 3 letters.ten
Check. Count 10 things and say “ten” at the end. ✓
Watch out. Look at the whole word. “Six” and “seven” are different numbers.
Key words. The number word is the name of the number, like seven.
Method. Say the number, then write its name in words.
- Look at the numeral. Find it on the number list.0
- Find its name. Every number has one name.0 = zero
- Write the word, one letter at a time. The word has 4 letters.zero
Check. Count 0 things and say “zero” at the end. ✓
Watch out. Look at the whole word. “Six” and “seven” are different numbers.
Key words. A numeral is a number written with digits, like 7.
Method. Read the number word, then find it on the number list.
- Read the whole word. Read every letter, not just the first one.“two”
- Find the word on the list. Each word matches one number.two = 2
- Write the numeral. A numeral is a number written with digits.2
Check. Count 2 things. The last number you say is 2. ✓
Watch out. Check the spelling of the word before you write the numeral.
Key words. The number word is the name of the number, like seven.
Method. Say the number, then write its name in words.
- Look at the numeral. Find it on the number list.6
- Find its name. Every number has one name.6 = six
- Write the word, one letter at a time. The word has 3 letters.six
Check. Count 6 things and say “six” at the end. ✓
Watch out. Look at the whole word. “Six” and “seven” are different numbers.
Key words. A numeral is a number written with digits, like 7.
Method. Read the number word, then find it on the number list.
- Read the whole word. Read every letter, not just the first one.“four”
- Find the word on the list. Each word matches one number.four = 4
- Write the numeral. A numeral is a number written with digits.4
Check. Count 4 things. The last number you say is 4. ✓
Watch out. Check the spelling of the word before you write the numeral.
Key words. A numeral is a number written with digits, like 7.
Method. Read the number word, then find it on the number list.
- Read the whole word. Read every letter, not just the first one.“one”
- Find the word on the list. Each word matches one number.one = 1
- Write the numeral. A numeral is a number written with digits.1
Check. Count 1 things. The last number you say is 1. ✓
Watch out. Check the spelling of the word before you write the numeral.
Key words. A numeral is a number written with digits, like 7.
Method. Read the number word, then find it on the number list.
- Read the whole word. Read every letter, not just the first one.“nine”
- Find the word on the list. Each word matches one number.nine = 9
- Write the numeral. A numeral is a number written with digits.9
Check. Count 9 things. The last number you say is 9. ✓
Watch out. Check the spelling of the word before you write the numeral.
Key words. The number word is the name of the number, like seven.
Method. Say the number, then write its name in words.
- Look at the numeral. Find it on the number list.2
- Find its name. Every number has one name.2 = two
- Write the word, one letter at a time. The word has 3 letters.two
Check. Count 2 things and say “two” at the end. ✓
Watch out. Look at the whole word. “Six” and “seven” are different numbers.
Key words. The number word is the name of the number, like seven.
Method. Say the number, then write its name in words.
- Look at the numeral. Find it on the number list.8
- Find its name. Every number has one name.8 = eight
- Write the word, one letter at a time. The word has 5 letters.eight
Check. Count 8 things and say “eight” at the end. ✓
Watch out. Look at the whole word. “Six” and “seven” are different numbers.
Key words. The number word is the name of the number, like seven.
Method. Say the number, then write its name in words.
- Look at the numeral. Find it on the number list.0
- Find its name. Every number has one name.0 = zero
- Write the word, one letter at a time. The word has 4 letters.zero
Check. Count 0 things and say “zero” at the end. ✓
Watch out. Look at the whole word. “Six” and “seven” are different numbers.
Method. Look at the letters one at a time: f, i, v, e.
- Say the word slowly. Look at every letter.f - i - v - e
- Check the letters. The word for 5 is spelled with v before e.five: f, i, v, e
- Write the word. five
Check. Count 5 things. Say the word at the end. ✓
Watch out. Check the letters in the order they come.
Key words. The number word is the name of the number, like seven.
Method. Say the number, then write its name in words.
- Look at the numeral. Find it on the number list.6
- Find its name. Every number has one name.6 = six
- Write the word, one letter at a time. The word has 3 letters.six
Check. Count 6 things and say “six” at the end. ✓
Watch out. Look at the whole word. “Six” and “seven” are different numbers.
Method. Think about what a numeral and a word are.
- Look at the numeral. A numeral is a number written with digits.7
- Look at the word. A number word is the name of the same number.seven
- Write the answer. No. The numeral 7 and the word seven are two ways to write the same number.
Check. Count 7 things, then say the word seven. It is the same number. ✓
Watch out. A numeral and a word can name the same number.
Seeing up to 5 at a glance
Leo rolls a dice and sees the dots at once. He does not need to count them one by one.
Some patterns are easy to see at a glance. When you know a pattern, you know the number straight away. Check by counting once, so you are sure.
Key ideas
- 1 dot is in the middle.
- 2 dots are in opposite corners.
- 3 dots are in a line.
- 4 dots are one in each corner.
- 5 dots are four corners and one in the middle.
Method. Look at the pattern first. Then count each dot once to check.
- Look at the pattern. Some patterns can be seen at a glance.four dots, one in each corner
- Count each dot once. Touch or point to each dot to check.1, 2, 3, 4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Turn the dice round. It still shows 4 dots. ✓
Watch out. The dots can be turned round, but the number of dots stays the same.
Method. Look at the pattern first. Then count each dot once to check.
- Look at the pattern. Some patterns can be seen at a glance.three dots in a line
- Count each dot once. Touch or point to each dot to check.1, 2, 3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. Turn the dice round. It still shows 3 dots. ✓
Watch out. The dots can be turned round, but the number of dots stays the same.
Method. Look at the pattern first. Then count each dot once to check.
- Look at the pattern. Some patterns can be seen at a glance.four corners and one dot in the middle
- Count each dot once. Touch or point to each dot to check.1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- Write the answer. 5
Check. Turn the dice round. It still shows 5 dots. ✓
Watch out. The dots can be turned round, but the number of dots stays the same.
Watch out
Watch out: the dice can be turned round. Four dots are still four dots, even when the pattern is turned.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Make dot patterns with large counters or big buttons. Ask: “Can you see how many without counting?” Then count together to check.
Exercise 1D Dots and patterns
Non-calculatorMethod. Look at the pattern first. Then count each dot once to check.
- Look at the pattern. Some patterns can be seen at a glance.one dot in the middle
- Count each dot once. Touch or point to each dot to check.1
- Write the answer. 1
Check. Turn the dice round. It still shows 1 dots. ✓
Watch out. The dots can be turned round, but the number of dots stays the same.
Method. Look at the pattern first. Then count each dot once to check.
- Look at the pattern. Some patterns can be seen at a glance.two dots in opposite corners
- Count each dot once. Touch or point to each dot to check.1, 2
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Turn the dice round. It still shows 2 dots. ✓
Watch out. The dots can be turned round, but the number of dots stays the same.
Method. Look at the pattern first. Then count each dot once to check.
- Look at the pattern. Some patterns can be seen at a glance.three dots in a line
- Count each dot once. Touch or point to each dot to check.1, 2, 3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. Turn the dice round. It still shows 3 dots. ✓
Watch out. The dots can be turned round, but the number of dots stays the same.
Method. Look at the pattern first. Then count each dot once to check.
- Look at the pattern. Some patterns can be seen at a glance.four dots, one in each corner
- Count each dot once. Touch or point to each dot to check.1, 2, 3, 4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Turn the dice round. It still shows 4 dots. ✓
Watch out. The dots can be turned round, but the number of dots stays the same.
Method. Look at the pattern first. Then count each dot once to check.
- Look at the pattern. Some patterns can be seen at a glance.four corners and one dot in the middle
- Count each dot once. Touch or point to each dot to check.1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- Write the answer. 5
Check. Turn the dice round. It still shows 5 dots. ✓
Watch out. The dots can be turned round, but the number of dots stays the same.
Method. Look at each dice for the pattern of 4.
- Look at dice a. Dice a has two dots, so it is not 4.2 dots
- Look at dice b. Dice b has five dots.b
- Look at dice c. Dice c has the four corners pattern.c
- Write the answer. c
Check. Count the dots on dice c: 1, 2, 3, 4. ✓
Watch out. Check the pattern, not the position of the dice.
Method. Look at the top row first. Then look at the second row.
- Look at the top row. The top row has five boxes.top row: 4 filled
- Look at the rest of the frame. The counters fill the first boxes.no more counters
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Count the counters one at a time: 1, 2, 3, 4. ✓
Watch out. Start from the top left box.
Method. The top row is full when there are five counters.
- Look at the top row. Count the full boxes in the top row.top row full
- Check the bottom row. The bottom row has no counters.bottom row empty
- Write the answer. 5
Check. Count the counters one at a time: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. ✓
Watch out. A full top row is always five.
Method. Count the counters that are in the frame.
- Look at the top row. Three boxes have counters.3 counters in a row
- Count to be sure. Count one at a time.1, 2, 3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. Three counters, and three boxes with counters. ✓
Watch out. Count each counter once.
Method. Look at each dice and count the dots.
- Count the dots on dice a. Dice a has two dots.2
- Count the dots on dice b. Dice b has five dots.5
- Count the dots on dice c. Dice c has two dots too.2
- Write the answer. Dice a and dice c are the same.a and c
Check. Dice a and dice c both show 2 dots. ✓
Watch out. Look at both dice in the pair before you decide.
Method. Check the pattern, then count each dot once.
- Look at the pattern. Four dots, one in each corner.four corners
- Count each dot once. Touch each dot one time.1, 2, 3, 4
- Write the answer. Ruby is right.Yes. It shows 4 dots.
Check. Count the dots again: 1, 2, 3, 4. ✓
Watch out. Check the pattern, then count to be sure.
Method. Count the dots once each to find out how many there are.
- Look at the pattern. Four corners and one in the middle.four corners + middle
- Count each dot once. Touch each dot one time.1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- Write the answer. Tom said 6, but there are only 5.No. It shows 5 dots.
Check. Count again: 5 dots. ✓
Watch out. Lots of dots is not the same as a bigger number. Count them.
Counting in order to 10
Mei is walking up the stairs. Each step has a number on it, from 1 to 10. She counts as she goes up.
Each number is one more than the number before it. Counting forwards goes up: 1, 2, 3. Counting backwards goes down: 10, 9, 8.
Key ideas
- Each number is one more than the one before.
- Count forwards from 1 to 10.
- Count backwards from 10 to 1.
Method. Find 5 on the number track. The number after it is the answer.
- Find 5. Put your finger on it.5
- Move one box to the right. Each box is one more or one less.5 + 1 = 6
- Write the answer. 6
Check. Check it: 6 − 1 = 5. ✓
Watch out. Move one box only. Do not write the number you started with.
Method. Each number is one more than the number before it. Use the numbers you can see to find the gaps.
- Look at the numbers around each gap. Counting on means each number is one more.1, 2, ?, 4, ?, 6
- Count on one from the number before each gap. Add 1 to the number before the gap.Gap 3: 2 + 1 = 3
Gap 5: 4 + 1 = 5 - Write the missing numbers. 3, 5
Check. Read the whole line again. Every number is one more than the one before. ✓
Watch out. Check the numbers after the gap too. They should still go up by one.
Method. Count in order from 1 to 10. Each number is one more than the one before.
- Start at 1. We start at the first number.1
- Count on to 10. Say each number, one more each time.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
- Write the numbers. Write them in order.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Check. Count back from 10 to 1. You say the same numbers. ✓
Watch out. Do not miss a number out. Check each one is one more than the last.
Watch out
Watch out: after 9 comes 10. Ten is one number, even though it is written with two digits.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Count the steps on the stairs together. Stop on each step and say its number. Ask: “What number comes next?” Then ask it going down too.
Exercise 1E Counting in order
Non-calculatorMethod. Find 4 on the number track. The number after it is the answer.
- Find 4. Put your finger on it.4
- Move one box to the right. Each box is one more or one less.4 + 1 = 5
- Write the answer. 5
Check. Check it: 5 − 1 = 4. ✓
Watch out. Move one box only. Do not write the number you started with.
Method. Find 8 on the number track. The number before it is the answer.
- Find 8. Put your finger on it.8
- Move one box to the left. Each box is one more or one less.8 − 1 = 7
- Write the answer. 7
Check. Check it: 7 + 1 = 8. ✓
Watch out. Move one box only. Do not write the number you started with.
Method. Each number is one more than the number before it. Use the numbers you can see to find the gaps.
- Look at the numbers around each gap. Counting on means each number is one more.1, ?, 3, ?, 5
- Count on one from the number before each gap. Add 1 to the number before the gap.Gap 2: 1 + 1 = 2
Gap 4: 3 + 1 = 4 - Write the missing numbers. 2, 4
Check. Read the whole line again. Every number is one more than the one before. ✓
Watch out. Check the numbers after the gap too. They should still go up by one.
Method. Each number is one more than the number before it. Use the numbers you can see to find the gaps.
- Look at the numbers around each gap. Counting on means each number is one more.6, 7, ?, 9
- Count on one from the number before each gap. Add 1 to the number before the gap.Gap 3: 7 + 1 = 8
- Write the missing numbers. 8
Check. Read the whole line again. Every number is one more than the one before. ✓
Watch out. Check the numbers after the gap too. They should still go up by one.
Method. Count in order from 1 to 5. Each number is one more than the one before.
- Start at 1. We start at the first number.1
- Count on to 5. Say each number, one more each time.1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- Write the numbers. Write them in order.1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Check. Count back from 5 to 1. You say the same numbers. ✓
Watch out. Do not miss a number out. Check each one is one more than the last.
Method. Start at 10 and count back to 6. Each number is one less than the one before.
- Start at the biggest number. We start at the top.10
- Say each number, one less each time. Do not skip a number.10, 9, 8, 7, 6
- Write the numbers. Include the first and last numbers.10, 9, 8, 7, 6
Check. Count on from 6 to 10 to check. ✓
Watch out. Count backwards one at a time. Do not jump two numbers.
Method. Each number is one more than the number before it. Use the numbers you can see to find the gaps.
- Look at the numbers around each gap. Counting on means each number is one more.0, 1, ?, 3, ?, 5
- Count on one from the number before each gap. Add 1 to the number before the gap.Gap 3: 1 + 1 = 2
Gap 5: 3 + 1 = 4 - Write the missing numbers. 2, 4
Check. Read the whole line again. Every number is one more than the one before. ✓
Watch out. Check the numbers after the gap too. They should still go up by one.
Method. Find 9 on the number track. The number after it is the answer.
- Find 9. Put your finger on it.9
- Move one box to the right. Each box is one more or one less.9 + 1 = 10
- Write the answer. 10
Check. Check it: 10 − 1 = 9. ✓
Watch out. Move one box only. Do not write the number you started with.
Method. Start at 3 on the stairs. Count on 4 steps, one at a time.
- Start on step 3. That is where Ruby is now.3
- Climb 4 more steps. Say the next four numbers.4, 5, 6, 7
- Write the answer. Ruby is on the step with the last number.7
Check. Count back 4 from 7: 6, 5, 4, 3. You get back to step 3. ✓
Watch out. Count on from 3, not from 4.
Method. Find the step after 7 on the number track.
- Find step 7. Put your finger on 7.7
- Find the next step. The next number is one more.7 + 1 = 8
- Write the answer. 8
Check. Count 7, 8 on the track. ✓
Watch out. Move one step, not two.
Method. Each number is one more than the number before it. Use the numbers you can see to find the gaps.
- Look at the numbers around each gap. Counting on means each number is one more.0, ?, 2, ?, 4
- Count on one from the number before each gap. Add 1 to the number before the gap.Gap 2: 0 + 1 = 1
Gap 4: 2 + 1 = 3 - Write the missing numbers. 1, 3
Check. Read the whole line again. Every number is one more than the one before. ✓
Watch out. Check the numbers after the gap too. They should still go up by one.
Method. Look at the number track. Find 9, then the next number after it.
- Find 9 on the track. Put your finger on it.9
- Find the next number. The next number is one more: 10.9 + 1 = 10
- Write the answer. No. The number after 9 is 10.
Check. Count 8, 9, 10. Ten comes after nine. ✓
Watch out. The number after 9 is 10, not 91.
Chapter summary
| Skill | Method |
|---|---|
| Count things | Touch each one once, say one number for each. The last number is how many. |
| Zero | Zero means none. We write it as 0. |
| Numerals and words | The numeral 7 is written with digits. Its word is seven. |
| Seeing at a glance | Dice patterns for 1 to 5 can be known without counting every dot. |
| Counting in order | Each number is one more than the one before. Count forwards and backwards on the track. |
Can you…?
- I can count things up to 10 and say how many there are
- I know that zero means none, and I can write 0
- I can read and write the numbers 0 to 10 as numerals and as words
- I can see how many dots there are on a dice up to 5
- I can count forwards and backwards to 10 on a number track
Key terms
- count
- say one number for each thing, in order
- numeral
- a number written with digits, like 7
- number word
- the name of a number, like seven
- zero
- none at all; we write it as 0
- number track
- a line of numbers in order
- one more
- the next number
- one less
- the number just before
Exercise 1Z Check-up
Non-calculatorKey words. To count means to say one number for each thing, in order.
Method. Touch each one once and say one number for each. The last number is how many there are.
- Touch and count each one. Each thing gets one number, in order.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Look at the last number you said. The last number tells us how many there are.The last number is 6.
- Write the answer. There are 6 apples.
Check. Count from the other side. You get 6 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one aside as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Key words. The number word is the name of the number, like seven.
Method. Say the number, then write its name in words.
- Look at the numeral. Find it on the number list.3
- Find its name. Every number has one name.3 = three
- Write the word, one letter at a time. The word has 5 letters.three
Check. Count 3 things and say “three” at the end. ✓
Watch out. Look at the whole word. “Six” and “seven” are different numbers.
Key words. Zero means none at all. We write it as 0.
Method. When there is nothing to count, the answer is zero.
- Look inside the empty bag. Check every place a thing could be.No stars at all.
- Say the number for none. Zero means there are none.Nothing to count.
- Write the answer. 0
Check. Zero is a number. We write it as 0. ✓
Watch out. Write 0 when there are none. Do not leave the answer empty.
Method. Look at the pattern first. Then count each dot once to check.
- Look at the pattern. Some patterns can be seen at a glance.four dots, one in each corner
- Count each dot once. Touch or point to each dot to check.1, 2, 3, 4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Turn the dice round. It still shows 4 dots. ✓
Watch out. The dots can be turned round, but the number of dots stays the same.
Method. Count the counters in the frame one at a time.
- Look at the top row. The top row is full with five counters.top row: 5
- Look at the bottom row. Two more counters are in the bottom row.bottom row: 2
- Add them up by counting on. Count on from 5: 6, 7.5, 6, 7
- Write the answer. 7
Check. Count one at a time: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. ✓
Watch out. Count the top row first, then the bottom row.
Method. Find 6 on the number track. The number after it is the answer.
- Find 6. Put your finger on it.6
- Move one box to the right. Each box is one more or one less.6 + 1 = 7
- Write the answer. 7
Check. Check it: 7 − 1 = 6. ✓
Watch out. Move one box only. Do not write the number you started with.
Method. Find 5 on the number track. The number before it is the answer.
- Find 5. Put your finger on it.5
- Move one box to the left. Each box is one more or one less.5 − 1 = 4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Check it: 4 + 1 = 5. ✓
Watch out. Move one box only. Do not write the number you started with.
Method. Each number is one more than the number before it. Use the numbers you can see to find the gaps.
- Look at the numbers around each gap. Counting on means each number is one more.5, 6, ?, 8, ?, 10
- Count on one from the number before each gap. Add 1 to the number before the gap.Gap 3: 6 + 1 = 7
Gap 5: 8 + 1 = 9 - Write the missing numbers. 7, 9
Check. Read the whole line again. Every number is one more than the one before. ✓
Watch out. Check the numbers after the gap too. They should still go up by one.
Method. Start at 10 and count back to 7. Each number is one less than the one before.
- Start at the biggest number. We start at the top.10
- Say each number, one less each time. Do not skip a number.10, 9, 8, 7
- Write the numbers. Include the first and last numbers.10, 9, 8, 7
Check. Count on from 7 to 10 to check. ✓
Watch out. Count backwards one at a time. Do not jump two numbers.
Method. A good answer says each star was touched once and the last number is the total.
- Say what you did. Each star was touched once.touch each star
- Say what the last number was. The last number tells how many there are.last number = 5
- Write the answer. Accept any answer that says each star was touched once and the last number was how many.
Check. Count 5 stars, touching each once. ✓
Watch out. Name both the touching and the last number.
Total 19 marks. Allow about 19 minutes.
Exercise 1X Practice test questions
Non-calculatorKey words. To count means to say one number for each thing, in order.
Method. Touch each one once and say one number for each. The last number is how many there are.
- Touch and count each one. Each thing gets one number, in order.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
- Look at the last number you said. The last number tells us how many there are.The last number is 8.
- Write the answer. There are 8 stars.
Check. Count from the other side. You get 8 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one aside as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Key words. Zero means none at all. We write it as 0.
Method. When there is nothing to count, the answer is zero.
- Look inside the empty bag. Check every place a thing could be.No cubes at all.
- Say the number for none. Zero means there are none.Nothing to count.
- Write the answer. 0
Check. Zero is a number. We write it as 0. ✓
Watch out. Write 0 when there are none. Do not leave the answer empty.
Method. Find 8 on the number track. The number after it is the answer.
- Find 8. Put your finger on it.8
- Move one box to the right. Each box is one more or one less.8 + 1 = 9
- Write the answer. 9
Check. Check it: 9 − 1 = 8. ✓
Watch out. Move one box only. Do not write the number you started with.
Method. Each number is one more than the number before it. Use the numbers you can see to find the gaps.
- Look at the numbers around each gap. Counting on means each number is one more.2, ?, 4, ?, 6
- Count on one from the number before each gap. Add 1 to the number before the gap.Gap 2: 2 + 1 = 3
Gap 4: 4 + 1 = 5 - Write the missing numbers. 3, 5
Check. Read the whole line again. Every number is one more than the one before. ✓
Watch out. Check the numbers after the gap too. They should still go up by one.
Method. Start at 10 and count back to 5. Each number is one less than the one before.
- Start at the biggest number. We start at the top.10
- Say each number, one less each time. Do not skip a number.10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5
- Write the numbers. Include the first and last numbers.10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5
Check. Count on from 5 to 10 to check. ✓
Watch out. Count backwards one at a time. Do not jump two numbers.
Method. Count each group.
- Count the first group. It has 3 stars.3 stars
- Think about the second group. Zero means there are none.0 stars
- Compare them. Three is more than zero.3 is more than 0
- Write the answer. The group with 3 stars has more, because 3 is more than 0.
Check. Three stars, and none in the other group. ✓
Watch out. Zero is smaller than every other number.
Method. Look at the dots on each dice and compare the numbers.
- Count dice a. Dice a has two dots.2 dots
- Count dice b. Dice b has five dots.5 dots
- Compare the numbers. Five is bigger than two, so dice b has more.5 is more than 2
- Write the answer. Dice b has more dots, because 5 is more than 2.
Check. Count dice b: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. ✓
Watch out. Compare the number of dots, not the size of the dice.
Method. Compare the numbers Ravi said with the number of stars.
- Count the stars. There are four stars, each touched once.1, 2, 3, 4
- Look at what Ravi said. He said 4, 5, 6, 7, but there are only four stars.4, 5, 6, 7
- Find the mistake. He carried on counting after the last star.He counted 7 numbers
- Write the answer. He went on past the last star. There are 4 stars.
Check. Count again: 1, 2, 3, 4. The last number is 4. ✓
Watch out. Stop counting when you run out of things.
Key words. Zero means none at all. We write it as 0.
Method. When there is nothing to count, the answer is zero.
- Look inside the empty bag. Check every place a thing could be.No things at all.
- Say the number for none. Zero means there are none.Nothing to count.
- Write the answer. 0
Check. Zero is a number. We write it as 0. ✓
Watch out. Write 0 when there are none. Do not leave the answer empty.
Method. A good answer gives one numeral and its word.
- Choose a number. Pick a number from 0 to 10.5
- Write it as a numeral. The numeral uses digits.5
- Write it as a word. The word is its name.five
- Write the answer. Accept any answer with an example such as 5 and five, which name the same number.
Check. 5 and five are two ways to write the same number. ✓
Watch out. The numeral and the word must be for the same number.