Counting objects from 0–10

Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.

Student lesson

Words to know

1. Discover: counting seeds

Put some seeds or stones on a table. How can you find out how many there are?

We can count them. Counting helps us know exactly how many there are.

2. Understand: how to count

To count well, touch or point to each object one time and say one number for it: one, two, three…

The last number you say tells how many there are in all. If you count 5 circles, the last number you say is 5, so there are 5.

Move each counted object to one side, or cross it off, so you do not count it twice. If there are no objects, we say zero.

Idea 1: Count in a line and in a pile

Things in a line are easy to count. Start at one end and go to the other end.

Things in a pile are harder. You might count one twice. So move each thing to the side after you count it.

Why? Moving it shows which ones you have counted already.

Try it: put 6 buttons in a pile. Count them and move each one to the side. What is the last number you say?

Idea 2: The number stays the same

Count 5 stones in a row: 5. Now push them far apart. Count again: still 5.

Spreading things out does not make more. Pushing them close does not make fewer. We did not add any. We did not take any away.

Why this is true: the number only changes when you add things or take things away.

🪨🪨🪨🪨🪨     🪨   🪨   🪨   🪨   🪨

3. Worked examples

Example 1 (I show you): Count the stars

Count the stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

1. Point to the first star. Say one.
2. Move to the next star. Say two.
3. Keep going. One number for each star.
4. Stop at the last star. The last number is 7.

Answer: There are 7 stars in all.

Example 2 (We do it together): Count the fish

Count the fish: 🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟

1. Touch each fish once.
2. Say the next number each time.
3. Say the last number: nine.

Answer: There are 9 fish in all.

Example 3 (You try): Count the trees

Count the trees: 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳

Did you know?

People counted long before there were number words in books. They used stones, sticks and knots in string. Very old bones have been found with scratch marks. Some scientists think the marks were used for counting.

Why this matters

Counting tells us how many. We use it to check we have enough cups for our friends. We use it to share fairly. We use it to see if something is missing.

4. Explore: count and check

You need 10 counters (stones, seeds or bottle tops).

1. Put 6 counters in a row and count them. Say the last number.
2. Spread the same 6 counters out. Count again.
3. Ask: is the number the same or different?
4. Take away all the counters. How many are there now?

5. Practise

Say it in a sentence

Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.

• There are ___ in all.
• I counted ___ ___.
• The last number I said is ___.
• There are zero ___, because there are none.

Guided practice

Independent practice

Level 1: Start

1. Count 9 objects near you. Write the number.
2. Draw 7 circles.
3. What does the last number you say tell you?
4. How many chairs are in a room with no chairs?
5. Count the fingers on both hands.

Level 2: Grow

1. Count: 🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌
2. Mia counts 4 pencils. Then she moves them far apart. How many pencils are there now?
3. Write the numbers from 4 to 9 in order.

Level 3: Stretch

1. Sam touches 6 buttons. He says: one, two, three, five, six, seven. What is the last number he said? Is it the right total? What should he say?
2. There are 10 cups. There are 10 children. Is there one cup for each child? How do you know?
3. Draw 10 circles in two rows. Count them row by row and then all together. Do you get 10 both times?

Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.

6. Apply: everyday mathematics

You are putting 8 books on a shelf. How can you be sure you counted all 8 and not 7 or 9?

Another one. Your class has 10 chairs. How can you check that you did not miss one?

7. Common mistakes

8. Lesson summary and revision card

9. Check and master

Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.

Show my result

10. Key takeaways

• Say one number for each object.
• Say the numbers in order.
• The last number said tells how many.
• Zero means none.

11. Next lesson

Lesson 3: Counting from 11 to 20. You will count bigger groups, including the teen numbers.

Exam practice

These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.

1. Count the stars and write the number: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ [1 mark]
2. Write the missing numbers: 3, __, 5, 6, __, 8 [2 marks]
3. Tom has 6 pencils in a row. He puts them in a pile. How many pencils are in the pile? Explain how you know. [2 marks]
4. How many dogs are in a kennel with no dogs? [1 mark]
5. Mia points to 5 toys but says: one, two, three, five, six. She says there are 6 toys. Explain her mistake and give the right number. [2 marks]

Total: 8 marks.

Printable worksheet

1. Count and write the number: 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎
2. Count and write the number: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. Draw 9 circles.
4. Write the numbers in order: 1, 2, __, 4, __.
5. How many cows are in a field with no cows?
6. Count and write the number: 🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓
7. Write the number that comes after 9.
8. Draw 4 circles.
9. Write the numbers from 6 to 10.
10. Tom has 0 sweets. Does he have any sweets?

Homework

Count 10 things at home (spoons, stones, buttons or leaves). Say the numbers in order. Tell a family member how many there are, and show that the last number tells the total.

Answer key and marking scheme

Practice answers: Worksheet: 1 five; 2 seven; 3 nine circles; 4 3 and 5; 5 zero.

Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 A, 3 B, 4 B, 5 A, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 C, Challenge 2 C.

Extra worksheet answers (items 6 onward): 6 six; 7 10; 8 four circles; 9 6, 7, 8, 9, 10; 10 No. Zero means none..

Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 nine (your own count); 2 seven circles; 3 it tells how many in all; 4 zero; 5 ten. Level 2: 1 8; 2 4; 3 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Level 3: 1 The last number is 7. No, it is not right. He skipped four, so the total is 6.; 2 Yes. Count the cups: 10. Count the children: 10. They match, one cup for each child.; 3 Yes, 10 both times. Counting in groups does not change the total..

Mastery and remediation

Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.

If a learner struggles

1. Find the misconception: Learners may think spread-out objects are more. Recount the same objects in different layouts.
2. Explain another way: use real objects first, then pictures.
3. Show a simpler example: Count 1 to 5 real objects while moving each one aside.
4. Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
5. Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
6. Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.

For parents and guardians

In this lesson your child learns to count up to 10 and that the last number says how many. You do not need to be good at mathematics to help.

• Count things together at home: steps, spoons, cups, shoes.
• Let your child touch each thing as they count. Watch for skipped or repeated things.
• Move the things around and ask: How many now? The answer stays the same.
• Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
• Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
• Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.

Teacher package