January 22, 2026
8 min. read
A skip-counting lesson plan is a simple, structured guide that helps teachers plan what to teach, how to teach it, and what Class 1 students should learn by the end of the lesson.
If you need a clear understanding of the concept itself before planning, you can refer to what is skip counting for Class 1 math students.
For example, a lesson objective might be “Students will skip count by 2s up to 20.” The plan usually includes the goal, materials (like blocks or number lines), step-by-step teaching methods, practice activities, and a quick way to check understanding.
Lesson planning is especially important in Class 1 because young learners need a clear, age-appropriate sequence. This is closely connected to building strong number sense, which you can explore in what is number sense for Class 1.
This guide explains how to write a lesson plan on skip counting for Class 1 using simple objectives, hands-on materials, step-by-step teaching methods, and gentle assessment.
Learning Objectives for Skip Counting
Learning objectives explain what Class 1 students should know and be able to do by the end of a skip-counting lesson.
Clear objectives help teachers stay focused, keep activities age-appropriate, and show children what success looks like. These goals support early math development and align with why number sense is important for Class 1.
By the end of a skip-counting lesson, students should be able to:
- Say and follow simple skip-counting sequences, such as 2, 4, 6, 8 or 5, 10, 15, 20, without going back to counting by ones.
- Understand the pattern, recognizing that skip counting means adding the same number each time, not just repeating a rhyme.
In Class 1, learning goals usually focus on counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s, as these patterns are developmentally appropriate and most useful. Children should be able to:
- Skip count by 2s, 5s, and 10s within a given range (such as up to 20, 50, or 100) using objects, number lines, and charts.
- Use skip counting to find totals when items are arranged in equal groups, helping build a strong foundation for multiplication for Class 1 in later grades.
These clear learning objectives support confident counting, strong number sense, and early math success.
Materials Needed for Teaching Skip Counting
Teaching skip counting in Class 1 does not require many resources.
Simple, hands-on materials make number patterns clear and engaging for young learners—an approach also recommended in how to teach skip counting to Class 1 kids.
- Number charts: A 1–100 chart or skip-counting charts (by 2s, 5s, or 10s) help children see patterns easily.
Coloring, circling, or tracing numbers shows which numbers are being “jumped on,” making skip counting clear during both class and individual practice. - Objects (toys, sticks, counters): Everyday items like blocks, beads, Lego pieces, coins, or paper clips can be grouped into 2s, 5s, or 10s.
Touching each group while counting “2, 4, 6…” or “5, 10, 15…” helps children understand skip counting in a concrete way. - Worksheets or flashcards: Simple worksheets with missing numbers, dot-to-dot activities, or flashcards showing part of a skip-counting pattern provide gentle written practice. These materials help children move from hands-on and oral practice to written fluency while reinforcing number patterns.
Using these materials together helps make skip counting easy, interactive, and effective for Class 1 students.
Introduction Activity for Skip Counting
A good introduction to skip counting in Class 1 begins with familiar activities that help children feel confident before learning the idea of “jumping numbers.”
Warm-Up Counting
Start with counting by 1s from 1 to 20 using fingers or movement. This prepares students for understanding number order, which connects to number ordering for Class 1.
This short 1–2 minute warm-up helps focus attention and reminds students that they already know how to count.
Review of Normal Counting
Next, count a small group of classroom objects—such as 10 pencils or blocks—one by one.
Then ask, “Is there a faster way to count?” This question naturally leads children to think about skip counting without pressure.
Introducing the Idea of “Skipping”
Show pairs of objects like gloves, socks, or blocks. Touch each pair and count only the groups: “2, 4, 6.” Explain that you are skipping numbers to count faster.
Let children try it themselves by touching each pair and saying the numbers aloud. This hands-on moment helps children clearly understand what skip counting means from the very start.
Step-by-Step Teaching Method
Skip counting in Class 1 works best when teaching follows the “I do, we do, you do” approach.
This clear structure helps children move from watching the teacher to practicing together and finally working independently with confidence.
Demonstration with Objects
The teacher models skip counting using grouped objects. This concrete method supports early learners who are still developing number sense characteristics, as explained further in number sense characteristics Class 1.
For example, when counting by 2s, the teacher touches each pair and says aloud, “First group is 2, next group is 4, next is 6.” This shows children how the numbers “jump” in a clear, concrete way.
Guided Practice with Students
Students practice together using objects or a large number line. If needed, number line for Class 1 provides helpful visual support.
Using shared objects or a large number line, children point, count, and say the numbers aloud while the teacher guides them with questions like, “What comes after 10?” This support helps build confidence and correct patterns.
Independent Practice
Children complete simple tasks such as filling in missing numbers or drawing jumps on a number line. These activities also reinforce ideas used in easy skip counting activities for Class 1.
They may fill in missing numbers (for example, “__, 10, 15”) or draw jumps on a number line. Ending with children sharing one pattern aloud helps the teacher quickly check understanding and reinforce learning.
Fun Classroom Activities in the Lesson Plan
Fun classroom activities help Class 1 students learn skip counting through movement, teamwork, and visuals.
These activities keep children active while reinforcing number patterns.
Movement-Based Counting
Children line up and hop, clap, or jump for each skip-count number, saying “2, jump – 4, jump – 6, jump.”
This helps them feel the rhythm of the pattern. Using a floor number line made with taped numbers, students can hop by 2s, 5s, or 10s, calling out each number they land on.
Group Activities
In pair work, students share counters and take turns grouping them into 2s or 5s, saying the totals aloud: “2, 4, 6.” A skip-counting scavenger hunt adds excitement; children find hidden number cards and arrange them in the correct skip-counting order, such as all the 10s.
Board or Chart Activities
Using a hundred charts, children color skip-count numbers like 2s in red and 5s in blue—to clearly see number patterns.
In a fill-the-gap relay, teams race to complete partial sequences on the board, such as “10, __, 30,” reinforcing quick thinking and pattern recognition.
Using floor number lines, charts, and grouping games helps children recognize patterns that later appear in ascending and descending order maths for Class 1.
Assessment and Practice
Assessing skip counting in Class 1 should be quick, simple, and low-pressure.
The goal is to check understanding of number patterns without causing stress, while giving children plenty of chances to practice.
Oral Counting Checks
Ask children to start from a number and skip count aloud, such as “Start at 2 and go!” Students chant by 2s, 5s, or 10s for a short sequence.
This helps the teacher hear whether children keep the correct “jump” and count smoothly.
Fill-in-the-Blank Worksheets
Use short sequences like “5, 10, __, 20” or “2, 4, __, 8.”
Limiting each sheet to 3–5 blanks keeps the task manageable and checks pattern recognition without overwhelming young learners.
Observation-Based Assessment
During hands-on activities such as grouping objects or jumping on a number line, observe whether children correctly say totals like “4, 6, 8” while touching each group.
A simple checklist can help track accuracy, independence, and confidence.
Oral counting checks, short fill-in-the-blank worksheets, and observation during activities allow teachers to check understanding while keeping learning stress-free.
These methods support early skills needed for addition and subtraction for Class 1.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Learning skip counting in Class 1 can be challenging at first, but with the right strategies, these difficulties are easy to overcome.
Students Mixing Patterns
Children sometimes mix skip-counting patterns, such as switching from 2s (2, 4, 6, 8) to 5s (5, 10, 15, 20) in the middle of counting.
This usually happens when they are learning more than one pattern at the same time. To help, teach one skip-counting pattern at a time, such as counting by 2s for several days before introducing 5s.
Using different colours, actions, or movements like clapping for 2s and snapping for 5s also helps children keep patterns separate.
Forgetting Numbers
Young learners may forget numbers in longer sequences, such as saying 10, 20, 29 instead of 30. This is common because their memory skills are still developing.
Keep skip-counting practice short, focus on smaller ranges (like counting up to 20), and use rhythmic chants, body movements, and finger pointing to support memory and rebuild the pattern step by step.
Teacher Strategies to Help
Teachers can support students by using clear visuals, repeating patterns daily in short sessions, and encouraging children to say numbers aloud while moving.
Teaching one pattern at a time, using clear visuals, and repeating patterns daily helps overcome these challenges. These strategies align well with number sense teaching strategies for first graders.
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Conclusion
Skip counting lessons help Class 1 students build strong number patterns through hands-on activities, movement, and gentle assessment.
Practicing skip counting aloud with chants, claps, and jumps by 2s, 5s, or 10s helps children remember patterns before moving to simple worksheets.
Teachers and parents can support learning with simple homework ideas, such as counting stairs by 2s, grouping toys by 5s, or spotting 10s in money.
With regular, fun practice, skip counting becomes automatic, boosting confidence and preparing children for addition and multiplication.
