Mental Oral Starters Year 1 Spring Teaching Sequence 11

Activity 1

Objective: Count in ones to 100 and recognise the multiples of ten

Resources: The children

§  Children sit in a circle and count from 1 to 100. They say Buzz (or similar) instead of the multiple of 10.

o  Seven, eight, nine BUZZ.

§  A harder version: Count back from 100 to 0 in the same way.

o  Buzz, ninety nine, ninety eight etc.

§  If this is too difficult, try it from (say) 40.

Activity 2

Objective: Count in twos from 1 & 2 to find odd & even numbers

Resources: The children

·  Sit children in a circle with knees ‘bent like a mountain’.

·  Count in unison, starting with one. As children say, ‘two’, they all stretch out their legs. At ‘three’ they then bend them again, at ‘four’ they stretch them out, etc.

·  Chant together keeping a rhythm as you count in unison.

o  When we count in 2s we are counting in even numbers.

o  We were counting our legs when we stretched them out as we all have two legs (feet).

o  Even numbers can always be paired up like socks or shoes.

Activity 3

Objective: Count in twos from 1 & 2 to find odd & even numbers

Resources: Large 2p and 1p coins, give each group of 3 children a set of twenty 1p coins and ten 2p coins

·  Ask children to count their 1p coins up to twenty.

o  We can count these quicker if we put them in piles of two.

o  Who can put them in piles of two?

o  Can we count them in 2s?

·  Count in 2’s as each pile is pointed to.

o  How much money? Twenty pence.

o  Is it the same as when we counted in 1s? (Some children may not understand this, although they are able to chant the pattern)

·  You may need to explain that mathematicians are lazy (!) and are always looking for quicker ways to find answers.

o  Can we swap the piles of 1ps for 2p coins?

o  How do you know?

·  The children work together to swap each pile of two 1p coins for a 2p coin.

·  Remind the children that when they count in 2s they are counting even numbers.

Activity 4

Objective: Count in twos from 1 and 2 to find odd and even numbers

Resources: Number line zero to 20 and a pointer

·  Rehearse counting in 2s along the number line.

o  What do you notice as we count in 2’s?

·  Hopefully they will notice that you are counting every other number

o  Who can remember what these numbers are called? (Even numbers)

·  Counting in 2’s is like counting pairs of shoes or socks.

o  Can you count the numbers that are not in the 2’s pattern? (The in between numbers) 1, 3, 5, 7… etc.

·  Explain that these are called odd numbers.

Activity 5

Objective: Count in twos from 1 & 2 to find odd & even numbers

Resources: Pairs of socks including an odd sock, a washing line (string) between two chairs and some pegs

·  Count the socks as you take them out of the bag.

o  How many socks?

o  Who can pair up the socks?

o  Why haven’t you paired all the socks? (It hasn’t got a partner)

o  What do we call a sock that hasn’t got a partner?

·  Peg up the socks in pairs beginning with the odd sock, e.g. 1, 3, 5, …

·  Peg up the odd sock in a different position and count again, e.g. 2, 4, 5, 7, 9

·  This is a fun activity and children like the idea that you are trying to trick them by making them count in even then in odd numbers!


Activity 6

Objective: Count to 100 in ones and tens from zero

Resources: The children

·  Sit children in a circle.

·  First child counts his ten fingers.

·  Second child continues the count 11-20 raising a finger as she counts.

·  Continue up to 100.

o  Can we count up to 100 in a quicker way?

o  How?

·  Hopefully they will be able to say that they can count in tens.

·  Ask the next child to begin counting to 100 by shooting out her fingers and saying ‘ten’.

·  Continue round the circle up to 100.

·  You may want to continue so that each child in your class says a number (e.g. to 280 if you have twenty-eight children). This is not hard for the children provided you help them over the ‘multiples of 100’). Alternatively, you can repeat the count, 10 - 100.

·  You can vary the count asking some children to count in ones & others in 10s up to 100.

Activity 7

Objective: Count to 100 in ones and tens from zero

Resources: The children

·  Explain that we need some keep fit activities to help us count up to 100.

·  Write their ideas on the board (hopping, jumping, skipping, bouncing).

·  You could choose two & write them in a pattern.

·  10 hops, ten jumps, ten hops… until you get to 100.

·  The hard part is keeping the count & the activity in unison!!

·  Alternatively you can have clapping, patting your knees, clicking your fingers, flapping your wings, etc.

Activity 8

Objective: Count in twos from 1 and 2 to find odd & even numbers

Resources: The children

·  Sit children in a circle, they say their number as they go round (1st child says 1, 2nd child says 2 etc.).

o  Stand up if you are a counting in 2s number (an even number)

o  Can you say your numbers in order?

·  Ask these children to sit down.

o  Stand up if you are an in between number.

o  What are these numbers called?(Odd numbers)

o  Can you say your numbers in order?

Activity 9

Objective: Count on and back in ones and two to 20

Recognise odd and even numbers to 20

Resources: Whiteboards, number track visible for those who need it

§  Ask children to write ODD or O on one side of their whiteboard and EVEN or E on the other side.

§  Ask children to imagine that you are on a 0 to 20 number track and tell them which end is which. I’m standing on number 4. Take two steps forward. Where am I now? Is it odd or even? Show me.

§  Start by encouraging the children to say the numbers out loud before they show their whiteboard and then progress to asking them to do the count in their head.

§  Have a number track from 0 to 20 within sight of children who need to see the numbers and use adult help if available, to indicate the numbers.

Harder version: The same activity but going back on the number track.

© Original teaching sequence copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users. Y1 Maths TS11 – Mental Oral Starters - Spr