1
Counting to 3
Discover Mathematics: Chapter 1
GoalCount 1, 2 and 3 things by touching each one once, and show 3 with your fingers.
New words
one · a single thingtwo · one and one morethree · two and one more
Explanation
To count, touch each thing once and say one number for it. Say the numbers in order: one, two, three. The last number you say tells how many things there are. Look at three bananas on a plate. Touch the first and say one. Touch the second and say two. Touch the third and say three. There are three bananas. You can show three with three fingers.
Worked examples
Youssef has 2 oranges. He touches one and says 1, then touches the next and says 2. There are 2 oranges.
Hana sees 3 camels at the zoo: 1, 2, 3. There are 3 camels.
A traffic light has 3 lights: red, yellow and green. Count them: 1, 2, 3.
Class activity
Count at home. Put 3 spoons on the table. The child touches each spoon and counts aloud. Then ask for 2 cups, and for 3 shoes. Finish with a clap game: clap 3 times, then jump 2 times.
Practice
1
How many balloons are there?
3
2
How many fish are there?
2
3
Count the cats, then show how many with your fingers.
3 fingers
4
Take 3 spoons from the drawer. How many spoons do you have?
3
5
How many birds are there?
1 (one bird)