Counting Fun & Games

Curriculum Links

Australian Curriculum – Mathematics (Foundation Year)

• ACMNA002: Connect number names, numerals and quantities, including zero, initially up to 10 and then beyond.
• ACMNA289: Subitise small collections of objects.

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Lesson Overview

In this third and final lesson of the Counting Confidence: 1-10 unit, students will participate in interactive and engaging activities to reinforce counting skills. Through hands-on games, movement-based learning, and a reflection discussion, students will consolidate their ability to confidently count to 10.

Learning Intentions

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
✅ Confidently count forwards from 1 to 10.
✅ Recognise and connect number names, numerals, and quantities.
✅ Work cooperatively in small groups during counting activities.

Success Criteria

✅ I can say the numbers from 1 to 10 in order.
✅ I can match a numeral to a quantity up to 10.
✅ I can participate in counting games and explain my thinking to a friend.

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Lesson Structure (45 Minutes)

1. Warm-Up Activity (10 Minutes) – Counting Moves

👣 Movement-Based Counting (Physical Activity)

• Gather students in a circle.
• Call out a number (e.g., "Show me 5!") and have students use their bodies to represent the number (e.g., five jumps, five claps, five small steps).
• Repeat with different numbers up to 10, encouraging students to count aloud together.
• Variation: Pair students up; one calls a number while the other demonstrates it with an action.

🔍 Why this is effective?

• Connects number names with physical movement, aiding retention.
• Supports kinaesthetic learners.

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2. Group Activity (15 Minutes) – Counting Treasure Hunt

🗺 Finding and Matching Numbers

• Hide small numbered cards (1-10) around the classroom.
• Students work in pairs to find a number card and then collect that many small objects (e.g., counters, buttons, blocks).
• Once finished, they share their findings with the class (e.g., "I found number 6, so I collected six buttons!").

🎯 Differentiation & Extension

• ✅ Support: Work with a small group to guide them in counting their collected objects correctly.
• 🚀 Extend: Challenge early finishers to put the numbers in order from 1 to 10.

🔍 Why this is effective?

• Encourages hands-on, exploratory learning.
• Reinforces one-to-one correspondence.

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3. Counting Challenge (10 Minutes) – Race to 10!

🎲 Team-Based Game

• Divide students into small groups of 4-5.
• Each group receives a bag of 10 counters.
• One at a time, students take turns rolling a 1-3 dice and collecting that many counters.
• The first group to reach exactly 10 counters wins.
• Discussion: How did they reach 10? What strategies did they use to count?

🔍 Why this is effective?

• Introduces addition informally.
• Encourages teamwork and discussion around numbers.

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4. Reflection (10 Minutes) – Counting Champions!

💬 Class Discussion

• Sit students in a circle and ask:
  • "What was your favourite counting game today?"
  • "How do you feel about counting to 10 now?"
  • "Where can we use counting in our everyday lives?"
• Counting Journal: Students draw one of today’s activities in their maths journal and write the number they practised (with support as needed).

🔍 Why this is effective?

• Encourages metacognition and student voice.
• Links counting to real-world use, building confidence.

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Assessment Opportunities

📌 Observation Checklist

• ✅ Are students counting aloud confidently?
• ✅ Can they connect numbers to quantities correctly?
• ✅ Are they participating in group activities effectively?

📌 Anecdotal Records

• Take notes on students who may need additional support with number recognition or one-to-one correspondence.

📌 Student Work Samples

• Collect maths journals to look for understanding of numbers and counting.

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Resources & Materials

🎲 Number cards (1-10)
🎨 Small objects (e.g. buttons, blocks, counters)
🎲 Dice (1-3)
📖 Maths journals
🖊 Pencils, crayons

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Teacher Reflection

After the lesson, consider:

• 🌱 Which students demonstrated strong counting confidence? Were there any who needed extra support?
• 🤔 Did students engage well with movement, group work, and challenges?
• 🔄 How could these activities be adapted for future lessons?

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Final Thoughts

This lesson fosters a joyful, interactive, and hands-on approach to counting! 🎉 By using movement, real-world exploration, and cooperative play, students will leave feeling confident and excited about numbers. 👏

Would love to hear how it goes in your classroom! 🚀