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Basic 1 · Mathematics · Counting, Representation and Cardinality

Counting Objects up to 20

In this topic you will count objects one by one. You will find out "how many" things are in a group.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Say number names from 1 to 20 in order
  • Count objects one by one to find how many
  • Know that the last number you say tells how many

What you already know

  • Saying numbers 1 to 10 (KG)

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Number
Sub-strand
Counting, Representation and Cardinality
Indicator
B1.1.1.1.1 – Use number names counting sequences and how to count to find out “how many?”

Introduction

Ama has some bottle tops. She wants to know how many she has. She touches each one and counts. Let us count like Ama.

1. Number Names

We say numbers in order. Each number is one more than the number before it.

Numbers 1 to 20
NumberNameNumberName
1one11eleven
2two12twelve
3three13thirteen
4four14fourteen
5five15fifteen
6six16sixteen
7seven17seventeen
8eight18eighteen
9nine19nineteen
10ten20twenty

2. How to Count Objects

Steps

  1. Touch one object.
  2. Say one number.
  3. Move it to the side.
  4. Do this for every object.
  5. The last number you say is how many.
Seven bottle tops in a row with the numbers 1 to 7 under them
Figure 1: Counting 7 bottle tops Draw 7 circles and write 1 to 7 under them.Illustration: Sirbus

Example

How many sticks are here?

  1. Touch the first stick and say "one".
  2. Touch the next stick and say "two".
  3. Keep going: three, four, five.

Answer: There are 5 sticks.

Remember: Count each object only once. Do not skip any object.

New words

count
To say numbers in order to find how many.
number
A word or sign that tells how many, like 5.
how many
The total number of things in a group.
order
One after the other in the right way.

Summary

  • We say numbers in order: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and so on.
  • Touch each object once as you count.
  • The last number you say tells how many.

Class activity: Bottle Top Count

  1. Your teacher gives your group some bottle tops.
  2. Count them one by one.
  3. Say the total out loud.
  4. Count them again in a different order. Is the total the same?

You need: Bottle tops, Bundles of sticks, Locally made number cards

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. Which number comes after 7?

    • A. 5
    • B. 6
    • C. 8
    • D. 9
    Show answer
    Answer: 88 is one more than 7.

  2. 2. Kofi counts: 1, 2, 3, 4. How many stones does he have?

    • A. 1
    • B. 3
    • C. 4
    • D. 5
    Show answer
    Answer: 4The last number he says is 4.

  3. 3. When we count, we touch each object once.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueTouching each object once stops us from counting it twice.

  4. 4. 12 comes before 11.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: False11 comes before 12.

  5. 5. 1, 2, 3, ______, 5

    Show answer
    Answer: 44 comes between 3 and 5.

  6. 6. Write the numbers from 10 to 15.

    Show answer
    Answer: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15Each number is one more than the one before.

Homework

  1. Count the cups in your house. Write the number in your book.