Place value within 10 - Order objects - Starter

In the first week of the fourth term, Year 1 students engage in a starter activity that helps them understand place value within the number 10. The lesson requires each child to have 10 counters at their disposal for various counting exercises. The session begins with a 'Fluent in Four' revision, where students use their counters to solve simple addition problems and explore basic concepts such as halving and combining numbers. For example, they are asked to calculate expressions like half of two plus eight, and to add together numbers to reach a total.

The lesson also includes a sorting activity, where students are encouraged to think about the different attributes of objects, such as leaves, and consider how they can be sorted by colour, shape, or size. They are also introduced to the concept of patterns, with a task to identify which set of objects shows a repeating pattern. Additionally, the children learn to compare numbers using the terms 'greater than' or 'less than', reinforcing their understanding of numerical order. For instance, they compare the numbers 4 and 9 to determine which is greater or less. The activity is designed to be interactive and visual, allowing students to concretely see and manipulate the numbers with their counters.