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One More, One Less

A number, a row of cubes and a number track. Pupils find one more or one less than the number. When they get it, a cube joins the row or one is taken away, and the game says it in a sentence: “One more than 4 is 5.” After a try that isn’t right, the number track shows where to look. Start with one more to 5, then move on to one less, mixed and numbers to 20.

For EYFS–KS2. About 5 minutes. Number & thinking. Low sensory, no reading needed, works without sound.

What pupils practise

• Find one more and one less than a number to 5, 10 or 20
• Know that one more or one less changes the amount by one
• Use a number track to find the number after and before
• Say “one more than 4 is 5” in a sentence

Tips for teachers

• Build the tower with real cubes alongside the game, adding or taking one away each time.
• Start with one more; one less is usually harder.
• Turn off the cubes once pupils are confident, so they use the number track or just the number.
• Ask “what number comes next?” and “what number comes before?” during the day, such as on the stairs.

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