L2 Spring Count To and Across 20 From Any Number

Working Without Worksheets – Year 1 Place Value: Count to and Across 20 from Any Number This Working Without Worksheets lesson helps Year 1 pupils develop confidence in counting forwards and backwards within 20, starting from any given number. Building on previous work with counting from 0 and 1, children practise jumping along number tracks, filling missing numbers, and counting in real-life, active contexts. The lesson begins with an engaging starter activity: Children sit in a circle and count together from 0 to 20 and back again to 0. If a child calls out 20, they stand up, adding excitement and energy. The counting challenge is repeated until everyone has said “20”! In the main input, pupils practise starting from any number: Use a number track to show the counter on a starting number. Count forwards and backwards to different targets, asking: “How many jumps did we make?” Introduce missing number sequences, e.g. 11, 12, __, 14, 15. Children use number lines for support. Discuss which sequences are easiest and which are trickier, encouraging reasoning. The independent activity takes the lesson outdoors: In pairs, children choose two number cards from 10–20. They use chalk to write the first number on the playground, then physically jump while counting forwards to the next number. Repeat the activity by counting backwards from the larger number to the smaller number. Children record and compare how many jumps it took to move between numbers. The plenary encourages reflection: Explore Tia’s mistake: she says “When I count from 13 to 18, I say 6 numbers!” Use a number line to show that you do not count the starting number, and the correct answer is 5 jumps: 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. Children discuss their reasoning with a partner to consolidate learning. What’s Included in the Pack? ✔ Full teacher planning with clear objectives, key vocabulary, and assessment guidance ✔ Starter: circle counting forwards and backwards to 20 ✔ Teacher modelling: using number tracks,