Some maths we can do quickly in our heads. Today we find one more, one less and ways to make five.
One more
Start with four counters. Put one more beside them. Count: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Now there are five.
🔵🔵🔵🔵 🟢
One more than four is five. One more is the next number when we count.
One less
Start with four counters again. Take one away. Count what is left: 1, 2, 3.
🔵🔵🔵
One less than four is three. One less is the number just before.
Number track:
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
On a number track, one more is one step forward. One less is one step back.
Make five
A five frame has five spaces. Put three counters in it. Two spaces are empty.
🔴🔴🔴⬜⬜
Three and two make five. Other pairs make five too:
Your hand has five fingers. Fold some down. How many are up? Up and down together make five.
How many more?
Maya had three shells. She found some more. Now she has five. How many did she find?
🐚🐚🐚⬜⬜
Put three shells in a five frame. Count the empty spaces: two. Maya found two shells. Three and two make five.
Try it
TRY ITOne more, one less, make five
Pick a game. Then tap your answer.
Let’s practise
Point, say or draw. Open each answer after trying.
1. What is one more than six?
Show answer
Seven. Count on one step from six.
2. What is one less than five?
Show answer
Four. Count back one step from five.
3. 🔴🔴⬜⬜⬜ Two counters are in a five frame. How many more make five?
Show answer
Three. Two and three make five.
4. Ravi had four mangoes. Granny gave him some more. Now he has five. How many did Granny give him?
(a) 1
(b) 4
(c) 5
Show answer
(a) 1. Four and one make five.
Quick check
Try these three on your own first. An adult may read the words.
1. What is one more than seven?
- Six
- Eight
- Nine
Show answer
Eight. One more than seven is eight. It comes next when we count.
2. What is one less than three?
- Two
- Four
- Three
Show answer
Two. One less than three is two. It comes just before three.
3. Three counters are in a five frame. How many more make five?
- One
- Two
- Three
Show answer
Two. Three and two make five.
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Maths lesson 11: Quick Maths: One More, One Less and Make Five — worksheet
Point, draw or tell an adult. An adult can write for you.
- Draw a five frame. Put four dots in it. Draw one more. Say: one more than four is five.
- Draw three stars. Cross out one. How many are left? Say: one less than three is two.
- Draw a five frame with one dot. How many more dots make five? Draw them in a new colour.
© 2026 Vedesh Kungebeharry. All rights reserved.
Maths words
Say these words with an adult. Can you use each one in a sentence?
one more · one less · next · before · make five · five frame · pair
Try it at home
- On the stairs, step up one more and back one less. Say the numbers as you step.
- Hold up five fingers. Fold some down. Ask: “How many are up? How many are down?”
- Put five spoons in a row. Hide some under a cloth. Ask how many are hidden.
For parents and teachers
After this lesson, your child should be able to:
- say one more and one less than any number from one to nine, using objects or a number track
- show all the pairs that make five with a five frame or fingers
- solve a “how many more make five?” story with counters and say the answer in words
Keep it playful and quick, but let your child check with real counters. Symbols such as the plus sign come later, in Infants 2.
Accept pointing, speaking, signing or communication aids. An adult can scribe. Observe the hands-on work as well as the Quick check; the badge records supported completion only.
Previous: Lesson 10: Taking Away within 10
Next: Lesson 12: Solid and Flat Shapes
Back to Infants 1 Maths
Updates
2026/11/11
– First version of this lesson.
– Linked the next lesson.
Attributions to media used in this post:
Several marbles.jpg – Conrad 7 – CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons; image resized only)
© 2026 Vedesh Kungebeharry. All rights reserved.