Count in German

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Overview

Lesson Title: Numbers in German: 1–10
Unit Title: German to English Fun (Lesson 2 of 20)
Year Level: Year 1
Duration: 45 minutes
Class Size: 25 students

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Australian Curriculum Alignment

Learning Area: Languages – German
Curriculum Reference:

• AC9LG1U01 – Recognise and reproduce the sounds and rhythms of spoken German and understand that German is written using the same alphabet as English with some additional letters.
• AC9LG1C01 – Interact with others to share information and experiences using simple modelled language, gestures and support materials.
• AC9LG1U02 – Recognise some word patterns and vocabulary across languages.

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WALT (We Are Learning To)

• We are learning to say, recognise and write the numbers from 1 to 10 in German.
• We are learning to connect counting with movement and music in another language.
• We are learning to match German numbers with their English equivalents.

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Success Criteria

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

✅ Correctly say the German numbers from 1 to 10 aloud.
✅ Match the German numbers (eins, zwei, drei...) with their English meanings.
✅ Join simple counting games and songs in German with enjoyment and confidence.
✅ Write numbers 1–10 in German with support.

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Resources

• Flashcards with German numbers (eins–zehn) and numerals (1–10)
• Visual anchor chart/poster with numbers 1–10 in German and English
• Audio recording of a German number song ("Eins, zwei, Polizei")
• Laminated number hopscotch mats (1–10 in German)
• Mini whiteboards and markers
• Number puzzles and matching cards
• A soft number ball (light sponge ball with numbers on each panel)

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Lesson Sequence

1. Welcome & Warm-Up (5 mins)

• Greet students in German: “Guten Morgen, Kinder!”
• Brief recap of Lesson 1: “Last time we learnt how to say hallo and tschüss. Today we are learning to count in German!”
• Place a large number chart on the board with numbers 1–10 in both English and German. Read them as a class with simple actions (clapping or jumping).

2. Introduction to German Numbers 1–10 (10 mins)

• Teach the pronunciation using repetition and movement.
  • Teacher says each number aloud with action (e.g. counting fingers), students repeat.
  • Use call and response: Teacher - “eins!” Students - “eins!”
• Display and discuss the German number words:
  • 1 – eins
  • 2 – zwei
  • 3 – drei
  • 4 – vier
  • 5 – fünf
  • 6 – sechs
  • 7 – sieben
  • 8 – acht
  • 9 – neun
  • 10 – zehn

3. Song & Movement Activity (5 mins)

• Play “Eins, zwei, Polizei” or another German number song (use audio only – no video).
• Students repeat the song and act out moves: hold up fingers, bounce or twist to the rhythm.
• Encourage students to sing along on the counting parts.

4. Interactive Counting Games (15 mins)

MIXED STATIONS (rotating in groups of 5)
Each station runs for approximately 3 minutes with 30-second transitions.

• Station 1: Number Hopscotch
  Hop on the German numbers in order (1–10), say each number aloud as they jump.

• Station 2: Match & Snap
  Match German number word cards to English number card or numeral cards. Play “snap” when they find matches.

• Station 3: Throw & Say
  Students toss the soft number ball to each other. The catcher says the number that lands face-up, in German.

• Station 4: Sound Match
  Listen to audio of spoken German numbers and match it to written cards.

• Station 5: Write It!
  Practise writing numbers 1–10 in German on mini whiteboards using model cards for support.

5. Class Reflection & Wrap-up (5 mins)

• Come back together as a group.
• Ask: “Who can remember how to say five in German?” (Encourage hands up.)
• Recap the numbers together: whisper 1–5, shout 6–10 (playful vocal activity).
• Exit ticket: Call each student to line up by asking them to say one random number in German.

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Differentiation Strategies

For Diverse Learners:

• Pair EAL/D or quieter students with buddies for support at stations.
• Provide visual number guides at each station with English translations.
• Allow verbal answers or gesture-only for those not yet confident to speak.

For Students with Additional Needs:

• Use large, tactile materials for sensory engagement.
• Provide step-by-step visual cards for writing activities.
• Offer a quiet corner with headphones to listen and repeat the number song individually.

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Extension Activities for Advanced Learners

• Challenge: Can you count backwards from 10 in German?
• Introduce 11–20 to interested learners during station time.
• Discuss with capable students how German and English numbers sound the same or different.
• Create a short German number rhyme or chant with their group.

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Teacher Reflection (Post-Lesson Notes)

To be completed by the teacher after delivery.

• What worked well during the station rotations?
• Were students able to recall and pronounce the numbers confidently?
• Which differentiation strategies supported learners best?

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This lesson layers play, music, kinaesthetic activity and language instruction — making new vocabulary both meaningful and memorable to Year 1 students. By grounding the learning in the Australian Curriculum and supporting students through scaffolded, sensory-rich activities, it encourages confident engagement with German as a second language.