one more one less Year 1 practice

What your child will learn

Given a number, identify one more and one less within 20.

Five-minute home practice

1. Say the learning goal together: “I can say the number just before and just after.”
2. Use small objects, fingers, drawings or shapes to make the idea visible.
3. Model one example slowly and say your thinking aloud.
4. Let the child try, offering one hint rather than the answer.
5. Finish by asking the child to explain what they noticed.

Helpful teaching words

more, less, before, after, number line.

Common mistakes

• Rushing before the child can explain the idea.
• Giving the answer instead of offering a smaller hint.
• Moving to harder questions before the basic example is secure.