Counting On from a Number – Elementary Math

Purpose

To practice “counting on” from a given number fluently.

Overview

Tell children that you are going to start counting and after a few numbers, you will stop. Children are to continue counting from the last number you say. You might begin with the following sequences:

The teen numbers may be difficult for some children, and many young children have difficulty crossing over a decade. You may want to do this activity with individual children so that you can identify strengths and weaknesses in counting. You can also use this activity throughout the year as children become more familiar with larger numbers.

About the sequence

Part 1 focuses on starting with numbers ending in 0–5. Part 2 builds to crossing over “decades.” The extension incorporates counting on with numbers greater than 90.

Part 1

I’m going to start counting and after I say a few numbers, you keep going…

Number sequence:

Teacher	Children
3, 4, 5, 6…	7, 8, 9…
10, 11, 12..	13, 14, 15…
13, 14, 15…	16, 17, 18…
21, 22, 23…	24, 25, 26…
24, 25, 26…	27, 28, 29…
31, 32, 33…	34, 35, 36….

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

Part 2

I’m going to start counting and after I say a few numbers, you keep going. (This time, pay special attention to crossing into a new decade, like 9, 10, 11 or 29, 30, 31).

Number sequence:

Teacher	Children
26, 27, 28	29, 30, 31…
57, 58, 59	60, 61, 62…
16, 17, 18,	19, 20, 21..
87, 88, 89	90, 91, 92..
46, 47, 48	49, 50, 51..

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

Extension

I’m going to start counting and after I say a few numbers, you keep going. This time we’ll try with numbers greater than 90.

Prompts (1-6):

Teacher	Children
95, 96, 97	98, 99, 100..
126, 127, 128	129, 130, 131…
103, 104, 105	106, 107, 108…
117, 118, 119	120, 121, 122..
137, 138, 139	140, 141, 142..
110, 111, 112	113, 114, 115..