Ray's New Primary Arithmetic · Lesson I · Unit 1: Counting and writing numbers
1. Counting to ten and the figures 1 to 10
Goal: Your child counts up to ten real objects, touching each one once, and writes the figure for each number.
You'll need
- About 20 small counters: dried beans, buttons, pennies or pebbles (the book suggests marbles, beans or pebbles)
- A slate, small whiteboard or paper and pencil
What's in the book
Ten rows of balls, from one ball to ten, with the word and the figure beside each row. The note to the teacher says the child should point to each ball while counting, then write the figure for each number.
The lesson, step by step
Count real things first
Put 3 beans in a row. Touch each one as you count.
SayOne, two, three. There are three beans.
Now let your child do it, touching each bean once. Repeat with 5, then 2, then 7.
Watch for skipping and double counting
Young children often say a number without touching anything, or touch one bean twice. If that happens, slow down and move each bean to the side as it is counted.
Count the balls in the book
Open the book page. Have your child point to each ball in a row and count aloud, row by row, from one ball to ten.
Match the figure
Point to the figure at the end of each row.
SayThis is how we write three.
Ask your child to find the figure for 4, for 7, for 10.
Write the figures
Say a number from 1 to 10 and have your child write its figure. Start in order, then mix them up. Show 10 as "a one and a naught".
Finish with something real
Ask your child to count something around the house: the chairs at the table, the windows in a room, the spoons in a drawer.
Afterwards
Count objects to 10 every day this week, then write the figures 1 to 10 from memory.
Tip
The book says to teach one thing at a time, and teach it thoroughly. If counting is shaky, stay here for a few days before writing numbers.