Count Backwards by 5s (194)

Lesson Plan

Patterns in Counting Backwards

Standards

Printable Aids

Teaching Notes

This activity helps students practice skip counting backwards by 5s from 100. It builds number sense, subtraction skills, and pattern recognition. Encourage students to use a number line or 100-chart.

Vocabulary

Backwards counting: Counting down from a number.

Subtract: Take away a number.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting the pattern and counting by ones.
• Difficulty transitioning across decades (e.g., 60, 55, then 45 instead of 50).
• Miscounting when approaching zero.

Differentiation

Discussion Questions

• What pattern do you notice when you count backwards by 5s?
• How is counting backwards by 5s related to counting money or telling time?
• Can you predict the next number if we keep counting backwards by 5s?

Extension Activities

• Count backwards by 5s to 0.
• Use coins (nickels).
• Practice on a number line.

Parent Tip

Count backwards from 100 by 5s, using fingers to track.

Skill Cluster

Number Sense & Patterns

Grade Level

1-2

Skills Practiced

Prerequisites

• Counting Backwards by 1
• Skip Counting Forwards
• Counting forwards and backwards by 1s up to 100
• Understanding place value (tens and ones)
• Skip counting forwards by 5s

Next Steps

• Subtraction
• Mental Math Strategies
• Skip counting by 10s forwards and backwards
• Skip counting by 2s forwards and backwards
• Relating skip counting to multiplication