Mathematics / Foundation / Number

Curriculum content descriptions

quantify and compare collections to at least 20 using counting and explain or demonstrate reasoning (AC9MFN03)

Elaborations
  • establishing the language and process of counting, understanding that each object must be counted only once, that the arrangement of objects does not affect how many there are, and that the last number counted answers the question of “How many?”; for example, saying numbers in sequence while playing and performing actions
  • using counting to compare the size of two or more collections of like items to justify which collection contains more or less items
  • using counting and one-to-one correspondence to quantify the number of items required for a purpose; for example, when asked to collect enough scissors for each member of their group to have a pair, counting each member and using the total count to know how many to collect
  • discussing how different cultures may have alternative ways of representing the count; for example, discussing how people of the Asia region use an abacus or Chinese hand gestures
  • using body-tallying that involves body parts and one-to-one correspondence from counting systems of First Nations Peoples of Australia, to count to \(20\)
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Numeracy Numeracy
ScOT terms

Cardinality,  Counting

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In this sequence of four tasks, students count and connect number names, numerals, and quantities, as they make plans for a class tea party. Students sort, categorise, and count tea party items, discerning similarities and differences between them. They plan and draw a placemat of everything they would need for a class ...

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reSolve: Number - Taking handfuls

This sequence of 6 tasks explores relationships between numbers 1 to 20 through subitising, comparison, and using 5 and 10 as benchmarks. Students organise collections and use subitisable patterns to help count the total in their collection. Students also compare their collection with a friend to see who has more and who ...

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Pattern & Algebra Foundation - Calculate

The focus of this activity is to discover if students can make, copy, continue and explain repeating patterns. Often students will only be asked to continue patterns to the right, but ensure you ask students to continue patterns to the left. Like the number sequence a pattern can extend in both directions.

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This downloadable lesson resource introduces the concept of ‘Number Walks’: taking a stroll with the class or group around the school or the local neighbourhood. Guided by the teacher, students note down anything they see that relates back to their understanding of the topic and then conduct a plenary session back in the ...

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Mind Mapping Numbers - Calculate

This activity provides a way for children to show and tell what they know about numbers. It can be modified for different age groups and used every day with a different number.

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How Many? - Calculate

The focus of this activity is for students to count a variety of objects in their home environment and write the number for each.

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reSolve: Authentic Problems: Tea Party

This sequence of four lessons presents a purposeful context for counting using the context of planning a tea party. Students consider items required for a small party, draw and count the items and then extend this to a larger party for the whole class. Each lesson is outlined in detail including curriculum links, vocabulary, ...

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reSolve: Number: One is a Snail

This sequence of lessons explores counting on strategies and early addition skills. Students represent numbers using animals with different numbers of legs and explore how one number can be represented in multiple ways. They also explore the concept of efficiency when comparing various representations. Students are then ...

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reSolve: Counting: Handfuls

This lesson focuses on building students' counting skills, particularly their ability to subitise a collection (recognise the number of items in a group without the need to count them) . Students consider ways of structuring a collection so that the total can be quickly identified. They explore different arrangements for ...

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Count Us In, Ep 3: Counting forwards and backwards up to 10

Count with Dodly and Flynn as they count their clay monsters and their toy dinosaur collection. Count a range of animals including kangaroos, butterflies and whales. Even count backwards as they launch a rocket into space.

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Count Us In, Ep 4: Ordinal number: first through to sixth

Dodly and Flynn explore counting with ordinal numbers from first through to sixth. Investigate the order of ice-cream on an ice-cream cone, sheep being shorn and playing 'pass the parcel'. Where did the missing birthday cake go? Could it be the prize in pass the parcel?

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Count Us In, Ep 5: Cool ways to count 1 to 5

Watch Dodly and Flynn at the monster fair investigating ways of representing the numbers from one to five. Two is a double, such as in a double scoop of ice-cream. Tally marks and 'tri' are used as representations of three, while four monster apples are shown as 3 and 1 or 2 and 2.

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Count Us In, Ep 6: Cool ways to count 6 to 10

Dodly and Flynn meet while Flynn is building a model volcano. They count snails and toy dinosaurs and show different ways to represent each of the numbers from six to ten through writing, drawing or sharing between two groups. The Super Seven and others also help out.

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Count Us In, Ep 1: Comparing and classifying

Explore numbers with Flynn and Dodly as they compare their marble collection, dinosaur toys and the noses on Dodly's pictures. Who has more? Who has less? Who has the same? These are questions often asked during an ordinary day. Help Flynn work out how many dinosaurs Dodly has in his bag. Use the clues that Dodly gives Flynn.

Interactive

Number trains

Arrange train carriages according to numbers on their sides. The numbers are represented in a range of formats such as words, numerals, dice dots or counting frames. Identify the numbers that come before and after starting numbers. Begin with numbers up to ten. Move on to work with larger numbers such as 40 and 50. Practise ...

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Count Us In, Ep 11: We can help you keep count!

Dodly is trying to keep count of the number of sheep in the backyard. Flynn helps Dodly to keep count by representing the numbers in different ways. They use models, drawings, strokes and numerals to keep count. Also discover the ways different cultures have recorded numbers.

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Finding Shapes and Objects - Calculate

The focus of this activity is for students to count a variety of objects in their home environment and write the number for each.

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Addition Foundation - Calculate

The focus of this activity is to discover if students can represent numbers, without the need to count from 1. If students ‘trust the count’ from here they will be able to use strategies to combine collections. If students do not ‘trust the count’ they may be able to combine two collections by counting by ones, but this ...

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Bunny Ears - Calculate

This quick game encourages students to use their fingers to model numbers in different ways.

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TIMES Module 1: Number and Algebra: counting and place value - teacher guide

This is a 16-page guide for teachers. It is a module introducing the concept of place value.