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Math · Grade 1 Math

Chapter 4: Teen Numbers and the Unit of Ten

Counting to Twenty and Back

Start anywhere and keep going, forwards or backwards.

Lesson
7
Time
About 11 minutes
0 of 6 done

Step 1: Let's Learn

Read it, or press Listen and follow the words.

You do not have to start at 1. You can start anywhere.

You can also go backwards. That is harder, so go slowly.

Backwards is genuinely harder

Forwards is a song you have heard hundreds of times. Backwards you have to work out each step, which is why it takes longer.

Why practise it anyway

Counting back is subtraction. Being fluent backwards makes taking away as quick as adding.

Step 2: Try It Yourself

Tap and try it out.

Pick a square, then hop forwards and backwards from it.

Step 3: Watch an Example

One step at a time.

Watch Mia Count Back

Mia counts back from 15.

  1. Step 1

    She starts on 15.

Step 4: Your Turn

Practice makes it stick.

Countdown

Problem 1 of 1

Ben counts back from 14. What number comes after 13?

Forwards and Backwards

Read carefully. Some go up and some go down.

1 of 3

Count on 2 from 16. Where do you land?

2 of 3

Count back 2 from 15. Where do you land?

3 of 3

Count on 3 from 11. Where do you land?

Step 5: Quick Check

Show what you know.

Question 1 of 2

What comes after 18?

Question 2 of 2

Count back 1 from 12.

What You Learned

  • You can start counting from any number.
  • You can count forwards or backwards.
  • Say each number as you go.