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Counting patterns

EnglishYear 1MathsFree

Continue, repair and explain counts in twos, fives and tens.

What it is about

Count in twos, fives and tens; identify a missing term without multiplying formally.

Year 1 · 5–6 years · 30 challenges

Before you begin

  • Count small sets and compare familiar objects.

What the class will do

  1. Choose and explain · 30 challenges

    Counting patterns

    Count in twos, fives and tens; identify a missing term without multiplying formally.

Using it in class

Teacher reads prompts and models a steady spoken count. Sequences appear as text. Optional counters, pairs and groups are for teacher demonstration. Backward counts expose both size and direction of the step. Do not require formal multiplication notation.

Give everyone time to think and discuss before one pupil acts at the board. The class explains and confirms together; hints and explanations stay until you move on.

Use an up-to-date browser on a computer connected to a whiteboard or shared display. Touch, mouse and keyboard; optional audio and reduced motion. No pupil accounts or personal devices.

Choose from 5 challenges up to the full activity. Discussion determines the duration: you set the pace.

A look inside the activities

Choose and explain

Count forwards in twos: 2, 4, 6, __. Which number comes next?

  • 7
  • 8
  • 10
Explanation and discussion

Adding 2 to 6 gives 8. Seven is only one more; ten skips a step in this sequence.

Say the complete pattern with a steady beat.

Choose and explain

A pupil counts in fives: 5, 10, 15, 25, 30. Which number was missed?

  • 16
  • 35
  • 20
Explanation and discussion

The jump from 15 to 25 skips 20. Fifteen plus five is 20, followed by 25.

Say the repaired count together.

Choose and explain

Count forwards in tens: 70, 80, 90, __. Which number completes the count to one hundred?

  • 91
  • 99
  • 100
Explanation and discussion

Ninety plus ten is 100. The numeral gains a digit, but the step is still exactly ten.

Which count gets from 90 to 100 in two steps of five?

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