Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 1

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Count forwards and backwards between 0 and 10.
• Recognise and read number symbols from 0 to 10.
• Write number symbols from 1 to 10.
• Order numbers from 0 to 10.
• Show numbers using objects, pictures, and fingers.

Lesson summary

This week, learners will begin their formal journey into the exciting world of numbers! The focus is on building a strong foundation with numbers 0 to 10, which is the bedrock for all future mathematical concepts. In South Africa, numbers are all around us – from the price of amagwinya at the spaza shop to the number of players on a soccer field, to the vibrant patterns in Ndebele art. Understanding numbers helps us make sense of our world, solve problems, and communicate ideas. This week’s activities will be hands-on, using familiar objects to make learning concrete and fun, ensuring every child feels like a confident mathematician.

Lesson notes

What are Numbers and Why Do We Count? Numbers are symbols that tell us 'how many' of something we have. Counting is the special skill we use to find out 'how many'. When we count, we give one number name to each object, and we do not skip any! This is called one-to-one correspondence.

Example: Let's count the wheels on a taxi. We touch the first wheel and say, "One". We touch the second wheel and say, "Two". We touch the third wheel and say, "Three". We touch the fourth wheel and say, "Four". The last number we say, 'four', tells us the total number of wheels. The taxi has 4 wheels. Number Symbols and Names (0 to 10) Each number has its own name and a special symbol. It's like having a name and a picture for a friend! Let's learn them. 0 (zero): Means nothing or empty. Like an empty lunchbox. 1 (one): ☝️ (one finger) 2 (two): ✌️ (two fingers) 3 (three): (three fingers) 4 (four): (four fingers) 5 (five): 🖐️ (a whole hand) 6 (six): 🖐️☝️ (a whole hand and one more finger) 7 (seven): 🖐️✌️ (a whole hand and two more fingers) 8 (eight): 🖐️ (a whole hand and three more fingers) 9 (nine): 🖐️ (a whole hand and four more fingers) 10 (ten): 🖐️🖐️ (both hands)

Ordering Numbers: Bigger and Smaller Ordering means putting numbers in the right place, like lining up for class from shortest to tallest. We can order numbers from smallest to biggest or from biggest to smallest. A number line helps us see the order of numbers. Numbers on the right are bigger (or more than). Numbers on the left are smaller (or less than).

Worked example

Which number is bigger, 6 or 9?

Step 1: Find both numbers on the number line.

Step 2: See which number is further to the right.

Step 3: The number 9 is further to the right, so 9 is bigger than

6. This means 9 apples are more than 6 apples.

Representing Numbers

A number can be shown in many ways. This helps our brain understand the number better. Let's look at the number

4. With objects: ⚽⚽⚽⚽ (four soccer balls)

With fingers:

With dots: ⚫⚫⚫⚫ (four dots)

With tally marks: ||||

As a symbol: 4

As a word: four

All of these mean the same quantity!

Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1: Busi collected these beautiful stones from the river. Count how many stones she has and write the number symbol.