Counting, Reading and Writing Numbers 1–5 for Primary 1

Counting, Reading and Writing Numbers 1–5

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. sort and classify number of objects in a group or collection;
2. identify number of objects in a group or collection;
3. count correctly up to 5;
4. Write correctly number 1-5;
5. arrange numbers 1-5 correctly in order of their sizes or values (quantities).

Understanding Numbers 1 to 5

Numbers help people to count things around them. They tell how many objects are in a group. In this unit, the focus is on numbers from 1 to 5. These are the first few numbers used for counting.

Learning to count, read, and write numbers 1 to 5 is an important step in understanding mathematics. These numbers are used every day to describe quantities of objects.

Sorting and Classifying Objects

Sorting means putting things into groups based on how they are alike. Classifying means giving a name to these groups. When objects are sorted, it becomes easier to count them.

For example, if there is a collection of different toys, they can be sorted by colour, size, or type. After sorting, it is easy to see how many toys are in each group.

Observe the image below, which shows different objects sorted into groups based on their quantity.

When objects are sorted, it helps to see how many items are in each group. This leads to the idea of numbers like 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Identifying Numbers of Objects

Identifying the number of objects means looking at a group and knowing how many items are there without necessarily counting them one by one. This skill comes from practice and recognising small quantities quickly.

For example, a person can quickly see that there are two eyes on a face or five fingers on one hand. This is identifying the number of objects.

Look at the pictures below and identify the number of objects in each group.

Being able to identify the number of objects quickly helps in daily activities, such as knowing how many plates are on the table or how many books are on a small shelf.

Counting Objects up to 5

Counting is the process of saying number names in order while touching or pointing to each object in a group, one by one. The last number said tells the total number of objects in the group.

To count correctly up to 5, start from 1 and continue to 2, 3, 4, and then 5. Each number name must match one object.

The procedure for counting objects involves the following steps:

1. Start with the first object and say “one”.
2. Move to the next object and say “two”.
3. Continue this for each object, saying “three”, “four”, and “five” in order.
4. The last number said is the total count of objects.

For example, to count five bottle tops, touch each one while saying “one, two, three, four, five”. The total is five.

Reading Numbers 1-5

Reading numbers means recognising the number symbols (numerals) and knowing their names. Numbers 1 to 5 have specific symbols and words that represent them.

The numbers from 1 to 5 are:

1. 1 (one)
2. 2 (two)
3. 3 (three)
4. 4 (four)
5. 5 (five)

It is important to connect the numeral, the number word, and the quantity of objects it represents. This helps in understanding what each number means.

Observe the chart below that shows the numeral, the number word, and the corresponding quantity of objects.

Practice reading these numbers aloud to become familiar with them.

Writing Numbers 1-5

Writing numbers means forming the correct symbol for each number. Correct formation helps others to read the numbers clearly.

Each number has a specific way to be written. It is important to start at the correct point and follow the right strokes.

The steps for writing numbers 1 to 5 correctly are:

1. Number 1: Start at the top, draw a short line down and slightly to the left, then a straight line down.

2. Number 2: Start at the top, make a curve to the right, then a diagonal line down to the left, and a straight line across the bottom to the right.

3. Number 3: Start at the top, make a curve to the right, then another curve to the right, joining the first curve in the middle.

4. Number 4: Start at the top, draw a straight line down and to the left, then a horizontal line to the right, and finally a long straight line from the top down through the middle of the horizontal line.

5. Number 5: Start at the top, draw a short horizontal line to the right, then a short vertical line down, and finally a curve to the right at the bottom.

Practice writing these numbers in an exercise book or on a board until they are formed correctly and neatly.

Ordering Numbers 1-5

Ordering numbers means arranging them in a specific sequence, either from the smallest to the biggest (ascending order) or from the biggest to the smallest (descending order).

For numbers 1 to 5, arranging them in order of their sizes or values means putting them in their natural counting sequence.

The numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are already in ascending order. If they are mixed up, they need to be put back in this order.

Consider the following numbers: 3, 1, 5, 2, 4.

To arrange these numbers from smallest to biggest, follow these steps:

1. Find the smallest number: 1.
2. Find the next smallest: 2.
3. Continue until all numbers are placed: 3, 4, 5.

The correct order from smallest to biggest is: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

To arrange the same numbers from biggest to smallest, the order would be: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

This skill helps in understanding the value of each number and how they relate to each other.