Counting Forward and Back – Elementary Math

Purpose

To count fluently forwards and backwards up to 20 and 30, and skip count by twos.

Overview

Have children count in unison to 20 or 30 and back. For a more challenging activity, have children count up by twos in unison. You might want to reinforce this activity by pointing to each even number on a number line or a yardstick as children count aloud by twos.

About the sequence

Part 1 has children count in unison from 0 to 20 and then backwards to 0. Part 2 moves to counting 0 to 30 and then backwards to 0. The extension challenges children to count by twos to 20 (or 30).

Part 1

Count from 0 to 20 and then backwards to 0.

0, 1, 2… 19, 20, 19…2, 1, 0

While children are enjoying their building of mastery, feel free to repeat. When children are eager for more, try Part 2.

Part 2

Count from 0 to 30 and then backwards to 0.

0, 1, 2… 29, 30, 19…2, 1, 0

As always, when children seem excited for a new challenge, move on.

Extension

Count from 0 to 20 (or 30) by twos.

0, 2, 4… 18, 20, 18…4, 2, 0