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Year 1

Counting and comparing

I can use my knowledge of counting forwards and backwards to and from 100 and comparing numbers within 20 when solving problems.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 1

Counting and comparing

I can use my knowledge of counting forwards and backwards to and from 100 and comparing numbers within 20 when solving problems.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. When we count a number of objects, we can use a range of strategies to find the total.
  2. We can start a count from any number and count forwards or backwards.
  3. We can use 'greater than', 'less than' and 'equal to' to compare numbers.
  4. We can represent these using the mathematical symbols > , < and =

Keywords

  • Strategy - A plan or method to achieve a specific goal.

  • More than - Greater quantity or value.

  • Greater than - Bigger/larger in value or size.

  • Less than - Smaller in size referring to abstract or continuous number. E.g. less water, fewer drops.

Common misconception

Mistakes when counting in ones. Children may not be able to visualise numbers to see which is more/greater than, less than or equal to.

Children should continue to practise counting forwards and backwards from a given number to increase confidence of counting within 100. Use number lines or one hundred squares to help children visualise numbers and support comparison.

This unit focuses on consolidating knowledge and understanding gained in Year 1 through realising the maths in the world around us. This lesson highlights some examples of activities to get children counting and comparing every day. Activities can be adapted to suit children's interests.
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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
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except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Lucas is counting forwards. What is the last number he will say in his count?
An image in a quiz
30
Correct answer: 40
50
Q2.
Which number comes next in each count?
Correct Answer:Count forwards in twos 2, 4, 6, 8,,10
tick

10

Correct Answer:Count forwards in fives 5, 10, 15,,20
tick

20

Correct Answer:Count forwards in ones 27, 28, 29,,30
tick

30

Correct Answer:Count backwards in tens 70, 60, 50, ,40
tick

40

Q3.
What does each symbol represent when comparing numbers?
Correct Answer:<,is less than
tick

is less than

Correct Answer:=,is equal to
tick

is equal to

Correct Answer:>,is greater than
tick

is greater than

Q4.
Which expressions are correct?
Correct answer: 5 > 4
9 < 7
Correct answer: 6 < 10
4 > 8
Q5.
Match the statement to the correct number.
Correct Answer:Counting in ones, the number after 30,31
tick

31

Correct Answer:Counting in ones, the number before 26,25
tick

25

Correct Answer:The number between 28 and 30,29
tick

29

Q6.
True or false. When counting from 35 to 54, I will say the number 45
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: True
False

6 Questions

Q1.
What number will come next when you complete the count?
Correct Answer:68, 67, 66,,65
tick

65

Correct Answer:27, 28, 29,,30
tick

30

Correct Answer:53, 54, 55,,56
tick

56

Q2.
Aisha used the strategy of counting leaves in twos. How many leaves altogether?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 12
Q3.
Sam used the strategy of counting leaves in fives. She has two groups of 5 and one more leaf. How many leaves altogether?
An image in a quiz
10
Correct answer: 11
15
Q4.
Match the statement to the correct number.
Correct Answer:One more than 17 is ,18
tick

18

Correct Answer:One less than 20 is,19
tick

19

Correct Answer:Two more than 15 is ,17
tick

17

Correct Answer:Two less than 18 is ,16
tick

16

Q5.
The children compared their scores from a running race. Andeep scored 14 Jun scored 12 Which statements are correct?
Correct answer: 14 is greater than 12
12 is greater than 14
Correct answer: 12 is less than 14
14 is less than 11
Q6.
Laura and Alex timed their race. Which is the correct symbol to use when comparing their scores?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: <
=
>