Counting Back: Octavia's Tea Party
Octavia the octopus is having a tea party under the sea! Every time a guest arrives, some cupcakes disappear. When we take away the same number each time, the numbers make a counting back pattern.
Remember: Counting back means taking away the same number every time: 30, 27, 24, 21. Each number is 3 less than the one before, so the pattern gets smaller.
Magic trick: If the numbers are getting smaller, you are taking away. If they are getting bigger, you are adding. Check the direction before you jump!
Seek and Find
Look carefully at the picture of Octavia’s Tea Party and find:
- 🧁 Find the tray of cupcakes. 3 rows of 3 = 9 cupcakes. If each guest takes 3, count back: 9, 6, 3, 0. That’s enough for 3 guests!
- 🫖 Find the teapots on the coral shelf. There are 4 teapots.
- ☕ Find the teacups. Count them: 6 teacups, one for each guest.
- 🐱 Millie and her kitten Biscuit are hiding in every picture. Can you spot them?