All Activities
Maths

How Many Altogether?

Overview

Children join groups of objects and count how many altogether.

Learning Objective
Children combine two groups and find the total.

Resources needed

  • Small objects

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Make two small groups of objects.
  2. 2 Count each group.
  3. 3 Put the groups together.
  4. 4 Ask: 'How many altogether?'
  5. 5 Count to check.
  6. 6 Repeat with different numbers.
  7. 7 Encourage children to explain.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Use larger numbers
  • Use real-life examples (groups of children)
  • Ask children to create their own groups
More information

Use the word 'altogether' consistently. Model pushing two groups together as you say it.

Keep one group at 1 to start, so children add one at a time.

Do children count on from one group or recount all objects? Can they record the total?

Use any two groups of small objects. Push them together on the ground — no containers or trays needed.

Children may count each group separately and report two answers rather than combining them. Physically push the groups together and repeat the question: 'Now they are one group — how many altogether?'