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Year 1 - Maths

Show one more and one less than a number using representations and describe this accurately

Composition of numbers 0 to 5

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils will revisit how numbers are represented cardinally and ordinally. They will partition 1 - 5 in different ways, find a missing part when one part and the whole are known and explore one more and one less with numbers to five.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to recognise that the number before a given number is one less and the number after a given number is one more.

Key Notes

  • Movement is magnitude. As you move forwards through the counting sequence the quantity increases by one.
  • Movement is magnitude. As you move backwards through the counting sequence the quantity decreases by one.
  • Use a number line to model the counting sequence and include zero.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • One more: The number after a given number is one more than it.
  • One less: The number before a given number is one less than it.
  • Before: A number that is before another comes earlier in our count.
  • After: A number that is after another comes later in our count.
  • Number line: A line with numbers placed in their correct position.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Children may confuse one more and one less, particularly when finding missing numbers.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.

Movement is magnitude. As you move forwards through the counting sequence the quantity increases by one. Movement is magnitude. As you move backwards through the counting sequence the quantity decreases by one.

2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'One more'

The number after a given number is one more than it. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.

3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.

Mistake: Children may confuse one more and one less, particularly when finding missing numbers. Correction: Use the stem sentence __ is one more / less than __ because it comes after / before it in the count.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 1 Maths guide library.