Counting 1 to 10 with a rhyme
Ten lines, ten numbers, ten actions. Children learn the rhyme, count objects and show numbers on their fingers before they count dots on the page.
At a glance
- From
- Level 0, Little Steps English: Week 9, Numbers 6 to 10
- Grammar
- How many? Six.
- Key language
- one to ten / How many? / Six.
- Children make
- A spoken count to ten with fingers and a worksheet counting dots from three to ten.
- Class size
- Works with 10 to 50 children; pair and group steps say how to scale.
Objective
By the end of the lesson children can say the numbers one to ten in order, show them on fingers and say how many for a group of up to ten things.
Success criteria for children
- I can count to ten in English.
- I can show a number on my fingers.
- I can say how many: "Six."
Timing: 30 minutes
| Minutes | Stage | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 4 | Warm-up: finger count | Count from one to five on fingers, then from six to ten. |
| 4 to 12 | The counting rhyme | Teach the ten-line rhyme with an action for each number. |
| 12 to 18 | Count the objects | Tip out the bag; children help count how many things there are. |
| 18 to 23 | Number jump game | Teacher holds up a card; children jump that many times. |
| 23 to 28 | Worksheet: count the dots | Count each row of dots and write or tick the number. |
| 28 to 30 | Rhyme and goodbye | Say the rhyme once more, getting quieter for the last line. |
Materials
- Ten small objects for counting (blocks, shells or pegs)
- Number cards 1 to 10 (large, on card)
- A small bag
- One worksheet per child, a pencil
- Numbers flashcards (free, linked from Week 9)
- Song: Ten little aeroplanes (free, linked from Week 9)
- Song: Dinosaur 1-10 (free, linked from Week 9)
Before the lesson: Learn the rhyme so you can do the actions without looking. Put ten objects in the bag.
Step by step, with teacher talk
0 to 4 minWarm-up: finger count
- Hold up your hand. Count one, two, three, four, five slowly, folding a finger with each number. Children copy.
- Show two hands and count six to ten. Then count to ten without stopping.
"Look at my fingers. One... two... three. Count with me."
4 to 12 minThe counting rhyme
- Say the rhyme once with the audio, once yourself with actions. Actions: sun (arms up), birds (flap), bees (buzz fingers), kites (wave a string), ants (tiny fingers), pigs (rub tummy), frogs (jump), cats (whiskers), mice (wink), us (wave).
- Say the rhyme again slowly. Children join in with the number words only, then with whole lines.
- Hold up the number card as you say each line so children link the sound with the figure.
"One sun up in the sky! Arms up! Two birds flying high! Flap, flap."
- Which number is the sun? (One.) Which are the birds? (Two.)
12 to 18 minCount the objects
- Tip ten objects out and count them in a line, touching each. Say "How many? Ten."
- Take two away. "How many now? Count with me. Eight." Do this a few times with different amounts.
- Each child takes a turn to count a group of three to six objects, pointing as they say each number.
"How many blocks? Let's count. One, two, three... How many? Seven!"
- Do we count the same block twice? (No.) Which number do we say last? (The last number tells us how many.)
18 to 23 minNumber jump game
- Hold up a number card and say the number. Children jump that many times, counting out loud.
- Start with 1 to 5, then 6 to 10. Let one child choose a card for the class.
23 to 28 minWorksheet: count the dots
- Do the first row together: touch each dot and count. Children write the number (or an adult writes it for them).
- Use fingers to check. Children who finish draw six bees in the last box.
28 to 30 minRhyme and goodbye
- Say the rhyme once more, getting quieter until the last line, "Ten of us wave goodbye."
Differentiation
Support
- Count only to five for the first week, with fingers on one hand.
- Let children touch each object as they count and move it to a "counted" pile.
- Give them a number line to point to while counting.
Stretch
- Count backwards from ten to one like a rocket.
- Ask "How many more to get to ten?" for a few objects.
- Count in twos using the pairs of feet in the circle.
Rhyme
Say it with a steady beat, two lines for each pair of numbers.
One sun up in the sky.
Two birds flying high.
Three bees buzzing by.
Four kites, watch them fly.
Five ants say "Hi!"
Six pigs eating pie.
Seven frogs are ready to try.
Eight cats, and one is shy.
Nine mice wink an eye.
Ten of us wave goodbye.
Questions
- How many suns are in the sky?
- How many birds are flying?
- How many pigs are eating pie?
- How many mice wink an eye?
- How many of us wave goodbye?
Printable worksheet
Prints on its own A4 page. Use Print the worksheet above, or print the whole plan and the worksheet starts on a new page. One copy per child, or one per pair to save paper.
Count the dots
Touch each dot as you count. Write the number in the box, or ask a grown-up to write it.
1. How many dots?
2. Draw six bees.
Answer key
Rhyme questions
- One.
- Two.
- Six.
- Nine.
- Ten.
Worksheet
- 1: the rows show 3, 5, 7, 9 and 10 dots in that order. The boxes should read 3, 5, 7, 9, 10.
- 2: the child draws six bees. Count them together; any six simple shapes count.
Exit ticket
Hold up a card with some dots (between 3 and 10) and ask "How many?" Each child answers at the door. Tick: counted correctly alone, counted with help, did not answer.
Homework
Count ten things at home (spoons, shoes, toys) in English. Tell a grown-up "Ten!"
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- Level 0, Week 9: Numbers 6 to 10 (the curriculum week this plan comes from)
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