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Counting forwards and backwards (age 6+)

PROCEDURAL
Mathematics›Counting & Cardinality|Ages 6—7|ID: mt_OkSJfrmFb_

Count forwards and backwards in tens from any number (not just multiples of 10)

Mastery Evidence

  • Count 7, 17, 27, 37 … from a non-multiple starting point
  • Count backwards in tens from 83
  • Explain the pattern of adding/subtracting 10

Assessment Prompt

“If [child] starts at 37 and you ask them to count up in tens, can they say 37, 47, 57, 67 — crossing over into the next hundred without getting stuck?”

Curriculum Standards1 alignment

Maths/Y2/NPV/1The national curriculum in England
Count in steps

Count in steps of 2, 3, and 5 from 0, and in tens from any number, forward and backward.

Mathematics · Key Stage 1

Prerequisites2

Show full prerequisite tree
  • Counting in 2s hard

    Counting in tens from any number builds on skip counting in tens from 0

  • The two digits of a two-digit number hard

    Counting in tens from non-multiples requires understanding that adding 10 changes the tens digit

    • A Ten Is Ten Ones hard

      Understanding tens and ones place value requires the concept of 10 as a bundle

      • The teen numbers hard

        Understanding 10 as a bundle builds on understanding teen numbers as 'a ten and some ones'

        • How Many in Total? hard

          Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

          • One-to-one counting hard

            Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

        • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

          Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

          • How Many in Total? hard

            Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

            • One-to-one counting hard

              Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

          • Writing digits 0-9 hard

            Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

    • The teen numbers hard

      General two-digit place value extends from understanding teen number composition

      • How Many in Total? hard

        Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

        • One-to-one counting hard

          Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

      • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

        Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

        • How Many in Total? hard

          Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

          • One-to-one counting hard

            Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

        • Writing digits 0-9 hard

          Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

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