Counting back from 20
You can count backwards from any number between 0 and 20.
Counting back from 20
You can count backwards from any number between 0 and 20.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Reciting the number words backwards from 20 by rote.
- Counting backwards from 20 to 0 using manipulatives to support understanding of the number before.
- Counting back from any number to any number.
Keywords
Count back - Reciting the numbers in reverse order to count backwards or down from a given number to 20.
Before - The number before refers to the previous number in the count.
Common misconception
Knowing the number before when counting backwards.
Giving 2 or 3 numbers to establish a pattern then reducing to 2 and then just the given number.
To help you plan your year 1 maths lesson on: Counting back from 20, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 1 maths lesson on: Counting back from 20, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 maths lessons from the Counting to and from 20 unit, dive into the full secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions





Exit quiz
6 Questions





