Place value within 10 - Representing objects - Starter

In a Year 1 mathematics session, children are introduced to the concept of place value within the number range of 1 to 10, with a particular focus on representing objects to aid understanding. The lesson begins with a 'Fluent in Four - Revision' starter activity that requires the use of counters. This tactile approach helps young learners to visualise and manipulate numbers, making abstract concepts more concrete. The children are tasked with simple subtraction problems, such as '8 minus double 0' and '3 minus 0', which serve as a warm-up to get them comfortable with numerical operations within their range of learning.

After completing the warm-up exercises, the lesson progresses to a practical activity where the children count out 10 counters. They are then asked to share these counters equally with a partner, which introduces them to the idea of division and fair sharing. This exercise not only reinforces counting skills but also encourages cooperative play and the concept of equality. Furthermore, the lesson includes a problem-solving element where students are prompted to count different coloured presents, allowing them to apply their counting skills in a context that is both engaging and relevant to their experiences. This activity not only solidifies their understanding of numbers but also introduces them to the early stages of data handling by sorting and counting items by attributes.