Counting to Twenty and Back – Elementary Math

Purpose

To count forwards and backwards from 0 to 20.

Materials

For the teacher: classroom clock or stopwatch

Overview

Count from zero to twenty in unison with your class. If you can, use a clock or stopwatch to say one number per second. A good way to do this is to say, “one second, two seconds, three seconds, …” This will help children develop a sense of time. Then count backward from ten down to zero, again pacing your counting with seconds if possible.

About the sequence

Part 1 begins with counting forwards from 0 to 10 and then backwards from 10 to 0. Part 2 moves to counting forwards from 0 to 20 and then backwards from 20 to 0. The extension progresses to practicing fluent forwards and backwards counting

Part 1

As a group, let’s count forwards starting at 0 and ending at 10 and then backwards from 10 to 0, trying to say one number for each second.

Zero seconds, one second, two seconds, three seconds… nineteen seconds, twenty seconds (and then backwards to 0).

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

Part 2

As a group, let’s count forwards starting at 0 and ending at 20 and then backwards from 20 to 0, trying to say one number for each second.

Zero seconds, one second, two seconds, three seconds… nineteen seconds, twenty seconds (and backwards to 0).

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

Extension

Let’s count forwards starting at 0 and ending at 50 and then backwards from 50 to 0.

0, 1, 2, 3…48, 49, 50 (and then backwards to 0).