Fun with Sounds and Numbers

Overview

This lesson is designed for a single Year 1 student (age 5-6), integrating phonics, basic literacy, and simple maths activities aligned with the National Curriculum for England. It provides a balance of focused learning and movement breaks to keep the young learner engaged and motivated. The lesson runs for 60 minutes and follows a flexible morning homeschool schedule.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the session, the student will:

English (Phonics and Literacy)

• Recognise and say all the phonemes for Phase 3 of Letters and Sounds (National Curriculum reference: English Appendix 1 – Phonics and Early Reading).
• Read aloud simple words and captions containing Phase 3 digraphs and trigraphs.
• Identify and write common exception words suitable for Year 1 (e.g., ‘the’, ‘was’, ‘you’).
• Use simple sentence structures to write a basic sentence with capital letters and full stops (English Writing – Composition, KS1).

Mathematics

• Recognise and use numbers to 20 (Maths Domain: Number – Year 1 – Count to and across 100, forwards and backwards).
• Solve simple addition and subtraction problems within 20 using objects and pictorial representations.
• Understand and use ordinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd) in practical contexts.

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Equipment Needed

• Phonics flashcards for Phase 3 sounds
• Whiteboard and dry-erase marker or notebook and pencil
• Counting objects (buttons, counters or small toys)
• Number cards (1-20)
• Simple sentence prompt cards (with common exception words)
• Digital timer or stopwatch (for breaks)

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Lesson Breakdown

0-5 minutes: Welcome and Settle In

• Warm greeting to establish a calm and positive learning environment.
• Discuss what will be learned today — briefly mention “sounds, words, and numbers” to spark curiosity.
• Use a fun brain-stretching song or rhyme focused on sounds (e.g., “The Alphabet Song” or “Down by the Bay”).

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5-20 minutes: Phonics Focus – Phase 3 Sounds

Learning Objective: Recognise and say Phase 3 phonemes (e.g., ch, sh, th, ng, ai, ee).

Activity:

• Flashcard sound recognition game: Show the student flashcards one at a time and ask “What sound do you hear?”
• Introduce or revisit tricky digraphs/trigraphs using articulatory gestures (e.g., putting finger to lips to demonstrate ‘sh’).
• Play “I Spy with my little eye…” using Phase 3 sounds (e.g., “I spy something beginning with ‘ch’.”).

National Curriculum Link: Letters and Sounds – Phonics and Early Reading, Phase 3.

Assessment: Observe student’s ability to correctly say and identify phonemes.

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20-25 minutes: Break and Movement

• Quick energiser: “Jump like a kangaroo” or “Stretch and wiggle.”
• Use timer to ensure a 5-minute active break, resetting pupil’s attention for the next task.

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25-40 minutes: Literacy – Reading and Simple Sentence Writing

Learning Objective: Read simple words with Phase 3 sounds and write basic sentences.

Activity:

• Use phonics flashcards to blend sounds into simple CVC or CVCC words (e.g., chat, chip, shin).
• Give a sentence prompt card (e.g., “The cat is on the mat.”) including common exception words. Student reads aloud with support.
• Model and scaffold the student writing the sentence, focusing on capital letter, spacing, finger spaces, and full stop.

National Curriculum Link: English – Writing - Composition and Transcription (Spelling).

Assessment: Check for correct letter formation, appropriate spacing and punctuation.

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40-50 minutes: Maths – Number Games up to 20

Learning Objective: Recognise numbers to 20 and simple addition/subtraction problems.

Activity:

• Number card flash recognition: Hold up cards and ask “What number is this?”
• Use counting objects for addition and subtraction problems (e.g., “If you have 7 buttons and add 3 more, how many do you have?”).
• Introduce ordinal numbers with a simple race game: “Who came 1st, 2nd, or 3rd?” using toys or family members.

National Curriculum Link: Maths – Number – Count to and across 100 and use place value (Year 1).

Assessment: Observe problem-solving strategies and number recognition accuracy.

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50-55 minutes: Reflect and Review

• Ask the student what their favourite part of the lesson was.
• Recap key sounds, words, and numbers learnt. Use a “Two stars and a wish” format: two things they did well and one thing to practice next time.

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55-60 minutes: Closing Activity and Prepare for Next Session

• End with a story-reading or video clip related to phonics or counting (e.g., a simple story featuring phonics sounds).
• Set a simple, achievable micro challenge for the next day (e.g., “Look for 3 things at home that start with ‘sh’ sound”).

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Teacher Notes

• Use positive reinforcement with praise phrases such as “Well done for listening carefully!” or “Great blending of sounds!”
• Differentiate by adjusting scaffolding: provide more or less support based on the student’s confidence level.
• Monitor attention span, and if needed, insert a brief 1-minute stretch break anywhere in the session.
• Encourage the student to verbalise their thinking during maths activities to deepen conceptual understanding.

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This lesson plan balances Phonics (Phase 3), early sentence writing, and foundational maths with engaging, multi-sensory activities meeting the statutory requirements for Year 1 pupils in England, all delivered within a flexible, nurturing homeschool environment.