Year 1Spring TermAges 5-6

Lesson Plans

Counting to Ten

1

Six, Seven, Eight!

30–35 minutes

Lesson Objectives

  • Say "sitta" (6), "sab'a" (7), "thamaaniya" (8)
  • Count from 1 to 8 in sequence

Warm-Up (5 min)

Count 1–5 together in Arabic with actions. Then say "Are you ready for MORE numbers?"

Main Activities

  1. 1Introduce 6, 7, 8 with flashcards — say each slowly, then speed up: "Sit-ta, Sab-a, Tha-maa-ni-ya"
  2. 2Counting relay: children take turns adding one number to the chain up to 8
  3. 3Use counters to show each number physically — "Give me sab'a counters!"
  4. 4Number colouring sheet: colour objects to match the Arabic number label

Resources Needed

Number flashcards (6–8)CountersColouring sheet

⭐ Extension Challenge

Play "How many steps to the door?" — count your steps in Arabic!

2

Nine and Ten!

30–35 minutes

Lesson Objectives

  • Say "tis'a" (9) and "ashara" (10)
  • Count from 1 to 10 fluently

Warm-Up (5 min)

Count backwards from 8 to 1 in Arabic — this is tricky and fun!

Main Activities

  1. 1Introduce "Tis'a" (9) and "Ashara" (10) — celebrate reaching 10 with a cheer!
  2. 2Ten green bottles song (Arabic version): sing and count down from 10
  3. 3Number line hop: lay numbers on the floor, hop from 1 to 10 saying each number
  4. 4Trace all Eastern Arabic numerals ٦ through ١٠ on the tracing worksheet

Resources Needed

Number flashcards (9–10)Floor number cardsTracing worksheet

⭐ Extension Challenge

Count 10 things in your bedroom in Arabic before bed tonight!

3

Number Recognition Games

30–35 minutes

Lesson Objectives

  • Recognise all Eastern Arabic numerals ١–١٠
  • Match spoken numbers to written numerals

Warm-Up (5 min)

Flash a numeral card for 2 seconds — can children shout the Arabic number? Speed challenge!

Main Activities

  1. 1Number pairs game: turn over cards to find matching pairs (numeral + number word)
  2. 2Teacher calls a number — children race to hold up the correct numeral card
  3. 3Number ordering: arrange jumbled numeral cards from ١ to ١٠
  4. 4Complete the writing practice worksheet: write each numeral and the number word

Resources Needed

Numeral matching cardsIndividual numeral card setsWriting practice worksheet

⭐ Extension Challenge

Write the numbers 1–10 in Eastern Arabic numerals and stick them on your wall!

4

Counting Champions

30–35 minutes

Lesson Objectives

  • Count to 10 independently and confidently
  • Use numbers in simple Arabic phrases

Warm-Up (5 min)

Whisper counting: count 1–10 starting in a whisper and getting louder with each number!

Main Activities

  1. 1Counting around the room: each child says the next number — keep the chain going to 10!
  2. 2Shop role-play: "I want sitta oranges, please!" — practise using numbers in context
  3. 3Create a "My Numbers" mini-book with illustrations and Arabic numerals
  4. 4Class celebration: count to 10 together — ring a bell at 10!

Resources Needed

Play shop materialsMini-book templatesColouring materialsBell or tambourine

⭐ Extension Challenge

Count everything today in Arabic — rooms, pets, siblings, fingers!