Count in 2s from 0
Start at 0 and add 2 each time.
Each number is 2 more than the one before.
Year 2
Count in steps of 2, 3, and 5 from 0, and in tens from any number, forwards and backwards
Count in equal steps and notice how the pattern changes when you start from a different number or move backwards.
Lesson overview
Number - number and place value
When we count in steps, we keep adding or subtracting the same amount each time. In Year 2, we count in 2s, 3s and 5s from 0, and we also count in 10s from different starting numbers, forwards and backwards.
Count in 3s from 0
Start at 0 and add 3 each time.
The jump size stays at 3 all the way along.
Count back in 10s
Start at 47 and count backwards in 10s.
When we count backwards in 10s, the number gets 10 smaller each time.
Worked example
Count in 10s from 34 to 74, then count back to 14.
- Start at 34.
- Add 10 each time: 44, 54, 64, 74.
- Now start at 74 and subtract 10 each time: 64, 54, 44, 34, 24, 14.
- Check that every jump forwards or backwards is still 10.
Try it
Complete each sequence and keep the step size the same.
Question 1
Question 2
Question 3
Question 4
Question 5
Common mistakes
Watch for these when you count in equal steps.
- Changing the step size in the middle of the sequence.
- Counting in ones instead of keeping the equal jump.
- Forgetting that counting backwards means the numbers get smaller.
Related topics
These ideas fit closely with counting in steps.
- Recognise the place value of each digit in a two-digit number.
- Use place value and number facts to solve problems.