L1 Spring Count To and Across 20

Working Without Worksheets – Year 1 Maths: Counting to and Across 20 This Working Without Worksheets lesson introduces Year 1 pupils to counting forwards and backwards within 20, building on their prior understanding of numbers within 10. With songs, interactive modelling, and hands-on counting activities, children begin to recognise patterns in teen numbers and develop strategies to organise and count larger sets. The lesson begins with a lively starter activity: Recap counting forwards and backwards within 10. Join in with familiar songs such as “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe” and “Ten Green Bottles” to refresh number order. In the main input, pupils extend their counting skills to 20: Use an animated number line to show a counter jumping forwards from 1 to 20. Discuss how numbers 11–20 are different from numbers before 10: They are all two-digit numbers. Each has one ten (the “teen” sound) plus extra ones. Practise counting backwards from 20, using the counter on the number line. Look at an arrangement of buttons on the slides. Count them as they are, then show how rearranging into groups makes them easier to count. Practise counting with rhythm by clapping with the teacher, then with a partner. For the independent activity, children apply their counting skills: Provide sets of objects (teddies, bricks, marbles, counters, etc.) and flashcards 0–20 face down. Children turn over a flashcard and count out the matching number of objects. Encourage them to arrange their objects into tens and ones or groups to make counting more efficient. Work with a partner to discuss strategies and compare counting methods. The plenary reinforces the learning: Count together as a class forwards and backwards to 20. Ask children to share strategies for organising objects (e.g. groups of ten and ones). Highlight how these strategies will help in place value learning later in the year. What’s Included in the Pack? ✔ Full teacher planning with lesson objectives, key vocabulary, and ques