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Maths

Find the Total with Movement

Overview

Children use movement to explore addition.

Learning Objective
Children combine numbers through physical actions.

Resources needed

  • Open space

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Ask a child to do an action (e.g. 3 jumps).
  2. 2 Ask another child to add more (e.g. 2 jumps).
  3. 3 Count all actions together.
  4. 4 Ask: 'How many altogether?'
  5. 5 Repeat with different numbers.
  6. 6 Let children lead.
  7. 7 Discuss answers.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Use different actions
  • Use larger numbers
  • Turn into a group activity with multiple contributions
More information

The physical nature of this task makes the concept of 'putting together' very visible.

Adapt movements for children with physical needs.

Can children count on from the first number rather than recounting from 1? Do they predict the total before checking?

Open space and children are the only resources. No equipment needed — voices, clapping, and movement are sufficient.

Children may count both sets of actions from 1 again rather than counting on from the first total. If child A does 3 jumps and child B does 2, some children count '1, 2, 3, 1, 2' and say the answer is 2. Model counting on from 3 explicitly.

Activity details
Early Years Medium 10–15 minutes No prep Small Group, Whole Class Indoor & Outdoor
Topics
Addition