Home›Lesson Plans›Mathematics›Number & Operations in Base Ten · Grade 1

Ordinal Numbers

First graders learn that some numbers tell how many and others tell what place something is in, like first in line or third prize, and check what they know about ordinal numbers.

Grade 1Ordinal Numbers50 minutes1 class periodGradual ReleaseExplicit teaching4 StandardsCommon Core
Start the Lesson
Assign or share this lesson
Share to Google Classroom Share to Microsoft Teams

Copy link works with Canvas, Schoology, Moodle and any other LMS — paste it in as a resource or assignment.

Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Know ordinal numbers.
  • ✓Tell position from amount.
  • ✓Use first to tenth.
  • ✓Check what you know.
Essential Question

In a race it matters who came first, second, and third, not just how many ran. How are ordinal numbers different from counting numbers?

0
Lesson Phases
0
Vocabulary Terms
0
Standards Aligned
0
Interactive Task
Model · Interactive Tool

Ordinal Check

Project this and answer each question about ordinal numbers, which tell position or order — read the explanation after each one.

🏁 Check what you know about ordinal numbersTry it
Answer each question about ordinal numbers, which tell position or order.
The Lesson · Gradual Release (I Do · We Do · You Do)

50 minutes, five moves

Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.

1

Hook — Who Is First

5 min

In a race, it matters not just how many runners there are but who came first, second, and third. Those are ordinal numbers. How are they different from counting numbers?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Show runners finishing.
  • Ask who is first.
  • Set the goal.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Think.
  • Share.
  • Get ready.
2

Use — Ordinal Check

12 min

Students answer questions about ordinal numbers.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send students to the Ordinal Check.
  • Answer each question.
  • Read the why.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Answer.
  • Check.
  • Read it.
3

Modify — Find the Place

13 min

Students name positions in a line.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Line up some objects.
  • Point to one.
  • Say its ordinal place.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Line up.
  • Point.
  • Say.
4

Create — My Order Line

15 min

Students label positions.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Draw five things in a row.
  • Label first through fifth.
  • Circle the third.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Draw.
  • Label.
  • Circle.
5

Reflect — Order Matters

5 min

Students reflect on ordinal numbers.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • What does an ordinal number tell you?
  • What is the difference between three and third?
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Say it.
  • Say it.
  • Complete the exit ticket.
Standards Alignment

Built to the standards you report on

Aligned to the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.

CCSS
K.CC.B.4

Understand the relationship between numbers and quantities, including order.

CCSS
1.NBT.A.1

Count and represent a number of objects with a written numeral.

CCSS
MP.6

Attend to precision.

CCSS
MP.7

Look for and make use of structure.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Position picture cards.
  • Sentence frame: “The ___ one is ___ .”
  • Answer one question at a time.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with first, second, third.
  • Line up classmates and name places.
  • Review one question at a time.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Use ordinals up to twentieth.
  • Describe positions from both ends.
  • Explain why order can change the place.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Projector / board
  • 🏁Objects to line up
  • 💻Ordinal Check
  • 🖼️Position cards
  • ✏️Pencils
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

ordinal numbera number that tells position, like first or thirdpositionthe place something is in an orderorderthe arrangement of things from first to lastfirstthe ordinal number for position 1secondthe ordinal number for position 2thirdthe ordinal number for position 3lastthe final position in an ordercounting numbera number that tells how many, like three
Evaluate

Exit Ticket

Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.

QUESTION 1
What does an ordinal number tell you?
The position or order of something, like first, second, or third, rather than how many there are.
QUESTION 2
What is the difference between three and third?
Three tells how many; third tells a position in an order.
QUESTION 3
In a line of five, what do you call the last one?
Fifth.

Create: my order line.

Have students draw five things in a row, label first through fifth, and circle the third, so ordinal positions become clear. A printable ordinal-numbers worksheet is in the Mathematics library.

Study · Flashcards

Study the key terms

Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.

🃏 Ordinal NumbersFlip
Card 1
Term
Tap to flip →
Meaning
0

Nice work!

Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.

📝 Ordinal NumbersQuiz
Score: 0
1 / 6
Question 1
0%

Nice work!

Practice · Worksheet

Printable worksheet

A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.

🖨️ Ordinal NumbersPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: counting number, first, last, order, ordinal number, position, second, third
  1. the ordinal number for position 1
  2. the ordinal number for position 2
  3. the final position in an order
  4. a number that tells how many, like three
  5. the arrangement of things from first to last
  6. the ordinal number for position 3
  7. a number that tells position, like first or third
  8. the place something is in an order

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. What does an ordinal number tell you?
  2. What is the difference between three and third?
  3. In a line of five, what do you call the last one?
Answer key — Part A: 1) first · 2) second · 3) last · 4) counting number · 5) order · 6) third · 7) ordinal number · 8) position
Part B: 1) The position or order of something, like first, second, or third, rather than how many there are. 2) Three tells how many; third tells a position in an order. 3) Fifth.