Comparing Collections 1–5 Numeracy Assessment: Early Years supports your young learners in developing foundational number skills. This early childhood resource includes five engaging and age-appropriate worksheets designed to assess students’ ability to count small groups of objects, compare quantities and identify which group has more, using numbers from 1 to 5.

This resource can be used for both formative and summative assessment purposes and is ideal for early years classrooms, small group instruction, intervention sessions, or even one-on-one check-ins. A detailed and editable teacher rubric is included to assist with consistent observation and assessment, while an answer sheet allows for quick and easy marking—saving you valuable time during your busy teaching day.

Comparing Collections 1–5 Numeracy Assessment: Early Years has been specifically designed to suit the developmental level of early years learners who are just beginning to explore number quantity and comparison. Through simple tasks and clear visuals, students can demonstrate their ability to count with one-to-one correspondence, compare two groups and make decisions about “more” and “fewer.” It’s also an excellent opportunity to observe students’ use of mathematical language and their ability to communicate early reasoning.

Whether used as a one-off assessment, part of a maths rotation, or revisited across the term to monitor growth, this resource provides valuable insights into student progress and understanding. The scaffolded nature of the task also makes it easy to differentiate, with additional support or stretch options available depending on your learners’ needs.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Count small groups of objects using one-to-one correspondence
• ✅ Identify and compare two groups of items
• ✅ Use mathematical language such as “more” and “fewer”
• ✅ Demonstrate early reasoning through colouring and response
• ✅ Record understanding using simple, developmentally appropriate visuals

What’s Included:

• 5 student assessment worksheets
• Editable teacher rubric for consistent assessment
• Answer sheet for quick marking

Materials Needed:

• Printed worksheets
• Pencils and crayons
• Counting manipulatives (optional)
• Visual scaffolds such as dot cards or number lines (optional)

How to Use:

• Introduce the language of comparison by using classroom items (e.g. “Which pile has more pencils?”).
• Model one-to-one counting with objects and link it to visuals on the worksheet.
• Provide each student with a worksheet and review instructions together.
• Guide students to count the objects in each group and compare the two amounts.
• Instruct students to colour the group with more items in each set.
• Use the teacher rubric to observe, assess and take anecdotal notes during the task.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use as a small group activity during numeracy rotations
• 💡 Add to portfolios to demonstrate counting and comparison skills
• 💡 Use for early identification of support or extension needs
• 💡 Include as part of an individual learning plan (ILP) snapshot
• 💡 Print extra copies for use during parent interviews or progress meetings

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Use manipulatives like blocks or counters to support students developing one-to-one correspondence
• 💛 Provide visual cues such as dot cards, fingers or number lines to scaffold comparison
• 💛 Reinforce key vocabulary such as “more,” “fewer,” and “equal” throughout your instruction
• 💛 Make Your Own: Invite students to draw two groups and challenge a classmate to compare them
• 💛 Beyond 5: For students ready for a greater challenge, try the Comparing Collections 1–10 Assessment
• 💛 Track students’ growth over time by repeating the task at the beginning, middle and end of term

Comparing Collections 1–5 Numeracy Assessment: Early Years is a hands-on and developmentally appropriate way to assess your students’ early number understanding. It promotes mathematical talk, builds foundational comparison skills and gives you the insights needed to guide targeted instruction throughout the year.