Place Value within 50 - Counting forwards and backwards within 50 - Planning

The lesson for Year 1 students during the Spring term focuses on enhancing their understanding of place value within the number range of 0 to 50. The objective is to develop the children's ability to count forwards and backwards confidently within this range. The lesson utilises a variety of resources, including differentiated worksheets, teaching slides, concrete equipment like number tracks and hundred squares, all aimed at facilitating this learning process. Key vocabulary such as 'count', 'sequence', 'forwards', 'backwards', '100 square', and '2-digit numbers' are emphasised to strengthen the students' numerical lexicon. To solidify their grasp of the concept, children are encouraged to use vocabulary cards and definitions available on the accompanying website.

During the lesson, children recap counting within 20 and expand their knowledge to numbers up to 50, paying particular attention to crossing tens boundaries and understanding teen numbers. Partner discussions and practical activities using concrete equipment help illustrate the value of teen numbers and reinforce the concept of tens and ones. A 100 square is introduced as a tool to quickly identify 2-digit numbers, with the 'spider and crab counting method' serving as a strategic approach to find numbers by counting down in tens and across in ones. Independent and group activities are designed to cater to different levels of achievement, from working towards the expected level to greater depth, ensuring that all students are challenged appropriately. The lesson concludes with a reflection on what was learned, the skills used, and any misconceptions that may need further clarification.