Zero and Ten
Primary 1 · Mathematics
Zero and Ten
Lesson 3 of 3
12 min
Let's begin
Ishimwe draws a long row of squares in his exercise book.
He writes one number inside each square.
Then he hops a small stone from square to square.
Today you will build the same track, from 0 to 10.
Say each number out loud as you write it.
| You write | You say |
|---|---|
| 0 | zero |
| 1 | one |
| 2 | two |
| 3 | three |
| 4 | four |
| 5 | five |
| 6 | six |
| 7 | seven |
| 8 | eight |
| 9 | nine |
| 10 | ten |
0 is one round shape. Go round and come back.
1 is one straight line down.
10 has two digits. Write the 1 first. Then write the 0 beside it.
Draw 11 squares in one long row.
Write 0 in the square at the start.
Then write 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 in the next squares.
Then write 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Your track is full now. It starts at 0 and ends at 10.
Careful! Some children leave 0 off the track. 0 belongs there. It is the start.
The numbers go from smallest to biggest. On your track, 0 is the smallest. 10 is the biggest one there.
There are bigger numbers than 10. You will meet them soon.
Worked example
Start on 6. Jump forward 3.
Put your stone on 6.
Do not count 6.
Jump: 7, 8, 9.
You land on 9.
6 + 3 = 9
Careful! Some children say 8. They counted 6 as the first jump. The square you stand on is never a jump.
Worked example
Start on 10. Jump back 4.
Do not count 10.
Jump: 9, 8, 7, 6.
You land on 6.
10 − 4 = 6
Tip
Never count where you stand
Put your finger on the number. Then jump off it.
Say the number you land on. That is your answer.
Watch how to write each number, 0 to 10
Use your own number track. Then tap Show answer to check.
Which is smaller, 0 or 3?
Answer: 0. It sits at the start of the track.
Start on 4. Jump forward 2. Where do you land?
Answer: 6. Jump: 5, 6.
Start on 9. Jump back 3. Where do you land?
Answer: 6. Jump: 8, 7, 6.
Write the number that comes after 9.
Answer: 10. Ten is the last number on your track.
Put these in order, smallest first: 7, 0, 10, 2.
Answer: 0, 2, 7, 10.
What you learned today
Three free books about zero and about the numbers up to ten.
Iyi…Ziriya is in Kinyarwanda and it counts from 1 to 10 with the real number words: rimwe, kabiri, gatatu. It is from the Global Digital Library, free to read.
Number O is in easy English. It counts things and then takes them all away, so the answer is zero. It was made by Ubongo, here in East Africa, and it is on African Storybook, free to read.
Numbers 1 - 10 is in easy English too and shows you every number from 1 to 10, from the Global Digital Library, free to read.
Quick check
Put them in order. Smallest first.
Tap the cards in the right order.
