Fun With Numbers: Counting, Taking Away, and Finding “One Less”

Materials Needed

• 10 small safe objects, such as blocks, toy animals, or large buttons
• Number cards from 1 to 5
• Paper and crayons
• A small bowl or container
• Optional: a favorite counting song or short number video

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:

• Count objects from 1 to 5.
• Match a number card to the correct number of objects.
• Show what happens when one object is taken away.
• Use simple words such as more, less, same, and one less.

Success Criteria

Success looks like this:

• “I can touch and count each object one time.”
• “I can find the number that shows how many objects I have.”
• “I can take one away and tell what is left.”

Introduction: The Hungry Toy Animal

Say: “Our toy animal is hungry! Can we give it some snacks and count them?”

Place three objects in front of the child. Invite the child to count them aloud while touching each object.

Ask:

• “How many snacks are there?”
• “What might happen if our animal eats one snack?”
• “Will there be more or less?”

Tell the child: “Today we will count, match numbers, and discover what happens when we take one away.”

Body

I Do: Teacher or Adult Demonstration

1. Place one object on the table. Touch it and say, “One.”
2. Add another object. Count slowly: “One, two.”
3. Add more objects until there are five. Count each object once.
4. Show the number card 5 and say, “This card shows five.”
5. Remove one object and say, “Five. Take one away. Now there are four.”

Use simple language: “One less means we take one away.”

Quick check: Hold up four objects and ask, “How many do you see?” Then remove one and ask, “How many now?”

We Do: Count and Take Away Together

Put three objects in a row. Count them together. Invite the child to choose a number card that matches.

Repeat with four and five objects. Each time, follow these steps:

1. Count all the objects.
2. Choose the matching number card.
3. Take one object away.
4. Count the objects that remain.
5. Say, “One less than ___ is ___.”

For example: “One less than four is three.”

Interactive Game: Feed the Toy

Give the child a toy animal or pretend character. Place one to five objects in the bowl.

1. Ask the child to count the food.
2. Let the toy “eat” one piece.
3. Ask the child to count what is left.
4. Celebrate with a fun phrase such as, “One less! The toy is full!”

Let the child choose which toy, objects, or pretend food to use. For extra movement, have the child walk one step away when one object is removed.

You Do: Child’s Number Adventure

Invite the child to complete these activities with as little help as needed:

Choice A: Build a Number Tower

The child chooses a number card from 1 to 5 and builds a block tower with that many blocks. Ask the child to remove one block and tell how many blocks remain.

Choice B: Draw and Take Away

The child draws three to five circles, stars, or favorite animals. Ask the child to cross out one and count how many are left.

Choice C: Number Hunt

Look around the home for numbers. Find a number, say its name, and make a group of objects to match it. Use numbers 1 to 5 only.

Formative Assessment

During the lesson, observe whether the child can:

• Count objects in order.
• Touch each object only once while counting.
• Recognize or match numbers 1 to 5.
• Understand that taking one away makes a smaller group.

Ask:

• “How many are there?”
• “Which number card matches?”
• “What happens when we take one away?”
• “Do we have more, less, or the same?”

Summative Assessment: Show One Less

Give the child four objects and ask:

1. “Can you count these?”
2. “Can you find the number card that matches?”
3. “Take one away.”
4. “How many are left?”

Repeat once with five objects if the child is ready. The child meets the goal by correctly counting and showing one less in at least two attempts, with support as needed.

Differentiation

For Extra Support

• Use only numbers 1 to 3.
• Place objects in a straight line.
• Count slowly together while touching each object.
• Use the phrase, “Count, take one away, count again.”
• Accept pointing, signing, or showing the answer instead of speaking.

For More Challenge

• Use numbers up to 10.
• Ask, “How many did we start with?” and “How many are left?”
• Invite the child to make a simple take-away story, such as, “I had five cars. One drove away. Now I have four.”
• Ask the child to explain how they know the answer.

Real-World Connection

Practice during everyday activities:

• “We have three apple slices. If you eat one, how many are left?”
• “There are four socks. If we put one away, how many are here?”
• “We have five toys. If one goes in the box, how many are outside?”

Conclusion: Tell What We Learned

Place three objects in front of the child. Ask the child to count them, remove one, and count again.

Say together: “When we take one away, we have one less.”

Invite the child to finish these sentences:

• “Today I counted to ___.”
• “When I take one away, I have ___.”
• “My favorite activity was ___.”

End with a counting song, a high-five, or a short celebration dance.