All Activities
Maths

Find One More and One Less

Overview

Children explore how numbers change by one.

Learning Objective
Children identify one more and one less than a number.

Resources needed

  • Small objects

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Show a number (e.g. 6).
  2. 2 Ask: 'What is one more?'
  3. 3 Add one and count.
  4. 4 Ask: 'What is one less?'
  5. 5 Remove one and count.
  6. 6 Repeat with new numbers.
  7. 7 Encourage explanation.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Use fingers
  • Use number lines
  • Use real-life examples
More information

Teach both 'one more' and 'one less' in the same session so children experience them as opposites.

Use a number track (stones in a line) so children can physically move one step forward or back.

Can children answer without using objects? Do they predict correctly before checking?

Use a row of stones as a number track. Moving one stone forward or back is a powerful concrete representation that costs nothing.

Children consistently find 'one more' more quickly than 'one less'. They may also confuse 'one less' with 'take two away'. Use the phrase 'one step back' alongside 'one less' to build the connection.

Activity details
Early Years Easy 10–15 minutes No prep Small Group, Whole Class Indoor & Outdoor
Topics
Number Sense