How many letters? Budding counters determine and record the number of letters in five messages trailing behind planes. The write down both the numeral and the word form; the highest number here is 19. Next, pupils fill in two blank messages with their own name and a note of their choice, counting the characters just like they did before. These would make a fun visual display and sorting activity: give scholars enlarged versions of these planes for them to write their names on and then sort them from longest to shortest on the wall.