Teaching One More and One Less with Number Staircases

Teaching One More and One Less

Since day one, I had been giving my kiddos lots of great number sense experiences. We’d been using ten frames, number paths, and subitizing cards. They could count orally, recognize numbers, and count sets using 1:1 correspondence. So why the heck was I having so much trouble teaching one more and one less?

Not only was this an important concept for my kindergarteners’ overall number sense, but it was crucial to their understanding of addition and subtraction.

But they just weren’t getting it.

Then one day, it hit me!

They hadn’t yet grasped the staircase pattern of our number system, where each number has a value that is one more or one less than the one that came before or after it.

Number paths showed the numerals, but not the hierarchal value.

Subitizing cards and dice showed the value, but not number order.

But number staircases did both.

And they were fun for kids to make and build!

So here are some of the number staircase experiences I used with my children while teaching one more and one less.

Introducing the Number Staircase

To get started, I modeled building a staircase while the children watched.  I did this several times using different materials including felt shapes, snap cubes, and a counting frame made from wood blocks (styrofoam works too), a set of dowels, and pool noodles.

As I added counters to build the staircase, I verbalized the pattern by saying:

This is 1.
2 is one more than 1.
3 is one more than 2.
4 is one more than 3.
5 is one more than 4.

When I got to 6, I said:

6 is 5 and one more.
7 is 5 and two more.
8 is 5 and three more.
9 is 5 and four more.
10 is 5 and five more.

I Illustrated the above by changing the color of the “one more.”  You can read more about this “five and some more” counting on strategy HERE.

Number Staircase Mats

Once I modeled building a staircase, I began to offer number staircase invitations at our math center.  I began with templates that supported them in their first steps.

I included staircase templates that counted forward and backward as well those that were arranged both horizontally and vertically.

Storybook Staircases

Once children had practice with the templates, it was time for them to create staircases with less support. I still provided them with a floor mat to create a physical boundary for their work.  Carpet remnants, placemats and door mats all work well for this.

They began this task by sequencing a set of numerals along the bottom of the mat. Next, they built each stair using a uniform set of counters.

To add an element of fun, storybook characters were placed at the bottom of the staircase and a “destination” at the top.  The children enjoyed building a set of steps to help the Gingerbread Man to climb to his gingerbread house and to help the Little Red Hen get to the mill.

Staircase Games

Both of the above activities were also made into games by adding dice. Using one die, they rolled to find out how many counters they could add to their staircase.  If they rolled a “5,” they could either build their 5 staircase or complete columns 2 and 3.  The first player to complete their staircase and get their storybook character up the stairs and to the top was the winner!

We also played some roll and color games that worked the same way.

Staircase Counting Frame

The staircase counting frame, used in whole group lessons, was placed in our math center for children to use with different sets of counters. I found all of these items at dollar stores in my area.

Accountable Talk Around One More and One Less

As children worked on building their staircases, I asked questions to check their “one more and one less” understanding such as, “What’s one more than 5?” or “What is 4 minus 1?”  Children used their number staircases to support them in answering these questions.

Fine Motor Bonus

In addition to being great for teaching one more and one less, number staircases also provided great fine motor practice for my kiddos.  Stringing activities, such as with pipe cleaners and pony beads, were arranged in a staircase formation. In some cases, I added tweezers to my counter collections for kids to use as they built their staircases.

Ongoing One More and One Less Practice

Number staircases are now an ongoing invitation in my math center and take the form of math mats, storybook staircases, games, and the counting frame.  Continued practice with this skill supports my kiddos as we move into our unit on addition and subtraction.

You can find most of the above activities included in this Number Staircase resource.

For more math ideas, check out the Growing Math Thinkers page inside the Roots & Wings Resource Library.