Teacher notes

Countdown is intended to be used with Reception children, though if you feel it is appropriate for other classes by all means use it!

Within the Numeracy Framework teaching programme the unit addresses the following sections:

• Counting and recognising numbers
  • Comparing and ordering numbers - order a given set of numbers.
    (Main whole class activity)
  • Say a number lying between two given numbers.
    (Worksheet and ICT activities)
  • Order a given set of numbers.
    (ICT activity)
• Reading and writing numbers
  • Begin to record numbers.
    (Worksheets)

Suggestions for a weekly plan

Below is a suggested one-week set of lesson plans intended to make best use of the activities within the unit and some ideas for both extending and reinforcing learning. Each lesson has:

• an introduction a whole class activity that should last from 5 to 10 minutes;
• a main teaching activity lasting about 30 minutes consisting of teaching input and pupil activities working as a whole class, in groups, in pairs or as individuals;
• a plenary to round off the lesson of roughly 15 minutes.

Experience has shown that Reception children find a typical 45-minute lesson proves difficult to maintain sustained concentration, so you may wish to shorten one or more sections.

Introduction

Main teaching activity

Worksheet and other activities

Plenary

Monday

Show Countdown.
Ask about the way the numbers are ordered.

Use a washing line and peg out the numbers 1 - 10. Get the children to count out and predict what comes next. Then try starting from 10 down to 1.

Try Worksheet 1.

With one group, continue washing line work. remove some numbers and get them to put them back in correct places.

Show children the first ICT activity ready for group work on Tuesday.

Tuesday

Remind the children of the first ICT based activity.

Show Countdown sequence again and get them to say the numbers with, then without, the backing track (turn down the volume on your speakers for this).

Worksheet 2.

Play ICT activity.

Washing line activity.

Show children second ICT activity.

Wednesday

Remind the children of the second ICT activity.

Use washing line to replicate Worksheet 3 and talk them through the activity.

Worksheet 3.

ICT activity 1.

ICT activity 2.

Check through Worksheet 3 with the whole class.

Thursday

Sit children in a circle. Play Countdown game. First child says 10, next 9 etc. Child at zero 'takes off' by standing up.

Introduce Worksheet 4 as a whole class activity (blow up the sheet to A3 on the photocopier). Discuss the activity in some detail.

Worksheet 4.

ICT activity 1.

ICT activity 2.

Try to extend countdown the game by starting at 20. Give children number cards if necessary.

Friday

Try the main countdown activity 'just for fun!'

Look at Worksheet 5 in a similar way to Thursday's.

Worksheet 5.
All suggested activities.

Review work completed during the week and display completed worksheets.