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ABC Education

Understanding Numbers

Join us as we learn early number concepts to build number sense. 

Explore the world of numbers and discover how to count, order and represent numbers in different ways. 

Understanding how two-digit numbers work is crucial for becoming a confident mathematician. These foundational skills are essential for counting, comparing quantities and preparing for more complex operations such as addition and subtraction. 

Developed specifically for students in Foundation and Year 1, these resources are produced by ABC Education in collaboration with The Mathematical Association of Victoria.

Counting collections

Learn how to accurately count a collection of less than 20 objects, explore common mistakes and practise counting with appropriate strategies.
Graphic illustration of two lines of spheres, each numbered 1 to 13
Duration: 2 minutes 28 seconds

One more or one less?

Learn how to accurately count one more and one less in a small collection of objects.
Row of spheres, first 3 numbered 1 to 3
Duration: 2 minutes 12 seconds

Ordinal numbers

Learn how to accurately name ordinal numbers from first to fifth. 
Row of 5 stick figures labelled 1st to 5th
Duration: 1 minute 51 seconds

Subitising to 6

Learn how to instantly recognise small quantities of objects without counting them. 
A dice showing face of 5 dots
Duration: 2 minutes 4 seconds

Comparing collections

Learn how to compare quantities of objects to find out which has more, which has less or when they are equal.
Row of coloured crayons standing on their ends
Duration: 1 minute 55 seconds

Reading and naming numerals

Learn how to read and name numbers that are all around you. Learn to read both one- and two-digit numbers. 
Number 54 above labels tens ones
Duration: 2 minutes 32 seconds

Ordering numerals

Learn how to put numbers in order using a number line, starting with the smallest number and finishing with the largest number.
Numbers 14 and 35 above a horizontal line labelled smallest to largest
Duration: 2 minutes 36 seconds

Partitioning two-digit numbers

Learn how to partition or break apart two-digit numbers into tens and ones. 
Number 16 beside 16 small blocks
Duration: 1 minute 42 seconds

Ordering numbers on a number line

Learn how to place two-digit numbers on a number line from 0 to 100. 
Blue line, numbers above 10, 40, 75
Duration: 2 minutes 2 seconds

Representing two-digit numbers

Numbers can be shown in many ways, not just as written digits. Explore how to represent numbers using materials such as base-10 blocks, find their position on a number line and locate them on a number chart.
Number 17 above a line divided by 5s
Duration: 1 minute 59 seconds
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