Counting Backward for 30 Seconds or 60 seconds

Purpose

To practice counting backwards fluently.

Materials

clock with second hand, or a timer (optional)

Overview

Using the clock, lead the class to count backward from 30. Try to time the counting so that they say one number per second. Afterward, tell children that they counted for thirty seconds, or half a minute.

For an extra challenge, tell children that you want them to count down 30 seconds silently. Have them close their eyes, start counting when you say go, and raise their hands when they reach 0. If time allows, repeat silent backwards counting from 60 to 0.

About the sequence

Part 1, counting backwards from 30, is done in unison as a class. Part 2, counting backwards from 30, is done silently and individually, having children raise their hand when they reach 0. The extension, counting backwards from 60, is also done silently and individually.

Part 1

Let’s count backwards together starting at 30 and ending at 0, saying one number per second and no faster.

When the class reaches 0, tell the children they counted for 30 seconds, or half a minute.

30, 29, 28…2, 1, 0

If children need more practice or are enjoying their mastery, repeat. If children are ready to move on, go to Part 2.

Part 2

Let’s count backwards silently in our heads with our eyes closed from 30 to 0. When you reach zero, raise your hand and we’ll wait for everyone to finish. Start counting when I say go. (After telling them to begin, time 30 seconds on the clock. Announce when 30 seconds have passed so that the children can judge how accurately they gauged the length of time.)

30, 29, 28…2, 1, 0 (with children counting silently)

If children need more practice, repeat. Or, when children seem excited for a new challenge, move to the extension.

Extension

Let’s count silently with eyes closed, starting at 60 and ending at 0. When you’ve reached zero, raise your hand. You will start counting silently when I say go. (After telling them to begin, time 60 seconds on the clock. Announce when 60 seconds have passed so that the children can judge how accurately they gauged the length of time.)

60, 59, 58…2, 1, 0 (with children counting silently)