Arabic١٢٣
Year 1Autumn TermAges 5-6

Lesson Plans

Counting to Five

1

One, Two, Three!

⏱ 30–35 minutes

Lesson Objectives

  • Say "waahid" (1), "ithnayn" (2), "thalaatha" (3)
  • Hold up the correct number of fingers

🌅 Warm-Up (5 min)

Count to 3 in English, then say "Now let's learn to count in Arabic!" — build excitement!

Main Activities

  1. 1Teach 1–3 with big number cards and finger counting: "Waahid!" (hold up 1 finger)
  2. 2Clap and count: clap once say "Waahid", twice say "Ithnayn", three times "Thalaatha"
  3. 3Counting objects: count toys, pencils, or blocks — say the Arabic number each time
  4. 4Complete the numbers worksheet: trace the Eastern Arabic numerals ١ ٢ ٣

Resources Needed

Number flashcards (1–3)Counting objectsNumbers 1-10 worksheet

⭐ Extension Challenge

Count things around the house in Arabic — chairs, spoons, shoes!

2

Four and Five!

⏱ 30–35 minutes

Lesson Objectives

  • Say "arba'a" (4) and "khamsa" (5)
  • Count from 1 to 5 in order

🌅 Warm-Up (5 min)

Recap numbers 1–3: show fingers and children shout the Arabic number.

Main Activities

  1. 1Introduce "Arba'a" (4) and "Khamsa" (5) with flashcards and finger counting
  2. 2Counting song: sing from 1 to 5 in Arabic to a familiar tune
  3. 3Give each child 5 counters — take away counters and count what remains in Arabic
  4. 4Number matching: match the Eastern Arabic numerals ٤ ٥ to the word cards

Resources Needed

Number flashcards (4–5)CountersNumber matching cards

⭐ Extension Challenge

Teach someone at home to count to 5 in Arabic — you are the teacher now!

3

Counting Fun

⏱ 30–35 minutes

Lesson Objectives

  • Count from 1 to 5 without prompts
  • Recognise Eastern Arabic numerals ١–٥

🌅 Warm-Up (5 min)

Action counting: 1 jump, 2 claps, 3 stamps, 4 twirls, 5 star jumps — count in Arabic!

Main Activities

  1. 1Number line activity: walk along large floor number cards, saying each number
  2. 2Numeral recognition: hold up Eastern Arabic numeral cards — children call out the number
  3. 3Colouring by numbers: colour sections of a picture based on the Arabic number label
  4. 4Complete the tracing worksheet for numerals ١ through ٥

Resources Needed

Floor number cardsNumeral cardsColour-by-number sheetTracing worksheet

⭐ Extension Challenge

When setting the table, count plates and cups in Arabic!

4

Numbers Everywhere

⏱ 30–35 minutes

Lesson Objectives

  • Use numbers 1–5 in simple contexts
  • Connect Arabic numbers to everyday counting

🌅 Warm-Up (5 min)

Number freeze dance: play music, stop, hold up a number card — everyone shouts the Arabic number!

Main Activities

  1. 1Shopping game: "Buy" items and count them — "Thalaatha apples, please!"
  2. 2Number bingo: call out Arabic numbers, children cover the matching numeral
  3. 3Draw a picture showing a number of objects and write the Arabic numeral
  4. 4Complete the vocab cards worksheet: match number words to numerals and pictures

Resources Needed

Play shop itemsBingo cardsDrawing materialsVocab cards worksheet

⭐ Extension Challenge

Play "I spy a number" at the supermarket — spot numerals and say them in Arabic!

Back to Year 1