Basic Number Skills

Overview

This 60-minute session is designed for Entry 1 learners with SEND, focusing on developing foundational numeracy skills in line with the National Curriculum for England, particularly the Progression Step 1-2: Number for pupils working below Key Stage 1 level. The lesson uses practical, hands-on activities with everyday objects to build number recognition, counting, simple addition and subtraction, and measurement and money handling.

Curriculum Links

• Mathematics: Number - Entry 1 (National Curriculum England)
• Develop confidence and fluency with number, practical counting and measurement activities relevant to everyday life.
• Skills to recognise simple numbers and symbols, perform basic addition and subtraction using concrete objects, and understand everyday measures including money.
• Focus on personal progression, sensory and functional numeracy skills parallel to the learner’s communication and cognitive abilities.

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Learning Objectives

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

• Recognise and match numbers 1 to 10 visually and tactilely.
• Count accurately to 10 using everyday objects.
• Perform simple addition and subtraction with concrete, relatable examples.
• Understand basic measurement using non-standard units (e.g., hand spans, blocks).
• Identify and handle coins 1p, 2p, 5p, and 10p to demonstrate simple money skills.

Individual learning goals will be adapted to learner needs and sensory preferences.

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Resources

• Number cards (1-10) with large, clear numerals and tactile elements (e.g., textured numbers).
• Everyday objects for counting (e.g., buttons, bottle caps, toy fruits).
• Simple money replica coins (1p, 2p, 5p, 10p).
• Non-standard measuring tools (hand spans, paperclips, coloured blocks).
• Whiteboard and markers.
• Visual aids: Number line poster, pictorial addition/subtraction scene cards.
• Sensory mats or trays for tactile learning.

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction & Engagement (10 minutes)

• Welcome and Warm-up: Gather students in a circle. Use a large tactile number line (1-10).
• Explore with fingers, asking learners to trace across numbers as you call them aloud.
• Quick ‘number hunt’ game: find number cards around the room and place them on the board in order.

Teaching Focus: Number recognition, visual and tactile engagement.

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2. Counting with Objects (15 minutes)

• Present a tray with everyday objects (buttons, bottle caps). Model counting aloud to 10 while moving objects into a container.
• Learners take turns counting out a requested number (e.g., “Can you count out 4 buttons?”).
• Use sensory mats for those who benefit from tactile feedback.

Differentiation: Support less confident learners with smaller numbers or one-to-one adult help.

Teaching Focus: Counting and one-to-one correspondence.

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3. Simple Addition and Subtraction (15 minutes)

• Use pictorial scene cards showing simple stories (e.g., 3 apples on table + 2 apples from basket).
• Model addition using objects, physically combining groups and counting total.
• Show subtraction by taking objects away and counting remainder.
• Learners practice with peer or adult support, using objects relevant to their interests (toys, food shapes).

Visual aids: Number sentences shown with pictures to represent addition (+) and subtraction (-).

Teaching Focus: Concrete understanding of addition and subtraction through manipulation.

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4. Everyday Measurement and Money (15 minutes)

Measurement

• Introduce non-standard units: measure length of pencil using hand spans or blocks, encouraging learners to count units.
• Encourage estimation (“How many hand spans is the pencil?”) followed by actual measurement.

Money Handling

• Show real-size replica coins (1p, 2p, 5p, 10p).
• Sort coins by size and value, encouraging learners to touch and identify them.
• Simple purchasing game: learners ‘buy’ a snack priced at 1p, 2p, or 5p using the coins. Adults provide support to count the correct coins.

Teaching Focus: Practical application of measurement and money in daily life.

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5. Review and Assessment (5 minutes)

• Quick recap asking individual learners to:
  • Point to numbers on the board.
  • Count small groups of objects.
  • Identify addition or subtraction in a visual scene.
  • Recognise coins by touch and name.
• Use positive reinforcement. Tailor questions to learner ability.
• Record observations against the learner’s individual goals.

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Teaching Strategies for SEND

• Use multisensory learning (visual, tactile, auditory).
• Frequent positive reinforcement and breaks as needed.
• Small group or 1:1 support for learners needing extra help.
• Flexibility in timing per activity based on attention span.
• Incorporate learners’ interests to increase engagement (e.g., preferred toys for counting).
• Use clear, simple language and repeat instructions.
• Allow learners to show understanding non-verbally (pointing, showing objects).

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Assessment Methods

• Formative: Ongoing observation during activities, checking counting accuracy, number recognition, and concept understanding.
• Summative (informal): End-of-lesson verbal or non-verbal quizzes using familiar materials, recorded in individual learner progress notes.
• Use personalised success criteria for each learner as per their EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan).

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Reflection and Next Steps

• Note learners who struggled or excelled per objective to tailor the next session.
• Plan to build on skills with a focus on sequencing numbers, more advanced addition/subtraction, and introducing simple time concepts in following lessons.

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This lesson plan is designed to deliver practical, accessible numeracy learning aligned to the National Curriculum Entry 1 standards, embedding functional maths skills crucial for SEND learners’ everyday independence.