Do you have a little one who is just learning about ordering numbers? If so, this blog post is for you! In it, we will discuss some easy ways to practise ordering numbers from least to greatest with your class. We will also provide some printable number worksheets and activities that your students can use to reinforce this skill. Let’s get started!
As our little learners are developing their number sense skills, they require multiple exposures and opportunities to learn their numbers to 10 and 20. By this stage, they will hopefully understand one to one correspondence and be able to accurately match a number with a quantity. Ordering numbers is the next logical step in their number sense journey.
So, how can we help our students to understand ordering numbers from least to greatest? Below are some tips and some great activities you can do with your class.
Lesson Warm-Ups to Practise Ordering Numbers from Least to Greatest
A great way to start your ordering numbers lesson is with a little number review. You could ask your students to identify the numbers on posters or write down as many numbers as they can from memory. This will help them to recall what they already know and get their brains warmed up for the lesson ahead.
Picture story books are also a fantastic way to introduce the concept of ordering numbers. Some of my favourite titles are:
- Chicka Chicka 123
- The Doorbell Rang
- Ten Black Dots
- Ten Red Apples
- One is a Snail, Ten is a Crab
Another easy warm-up activity is to give 10 (or 20) students a number card and have them move without talking into order from least to greatest number. I also call this clothespegs numbers. Once in order, students can then peg their number on a number line. Download your free copy of my clothespeg cards from Teachers Pay Teachers.
My final warm-up activity for ordering numbers from least to greatest is using number sliders. Give students a strip and a peg and call out different numbers and have students slide their peg up and down the strip. After they identify a number, students turn the strip around to show you the number they have. You could also say “Go to 6, slide on 2 more numbers, what number are you at now?” and begin to introduce them to some addition.
Free Download from my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
Number Ordering from Least to Greatest Worksheets and Activities
Once your students have a good understanding of what ordering numbers means, it’s time to start practising! My Ordering Numbers to 10 and 20 pack is full of fabulous, easy to prep activities you can do with your students.
Ordering Numbers Cut and Paste
One of the worksheet activities included in my Ordering Numbers to 20 Pack are these ordering numbers cut and paste worksheets. There are two versions included, one with numbers to ten and one with numbers to twenty. Students will cut out the numbers at the bottom of each page and paste them into order in their workbooks or in a coloured piece of paper.
Number Match Up Small Group Activity
In small groups, students order the numbers from least to greatest. Then match up the number written as a word, then the corresponding picture. This is a great way for students to see the different ways numbers can be represented. This can then be turned into a 3 ways memory game by turning the cards over and taking it in turns to match up 3 cards.
Order the Numbers
On this worksheet, students are given 4 different numbers to write in order from smallest to greatest. Two versions of this worksheet are included – numbers to 10 and numbers to 20.
Number Lines
When your students are ready, introduce them to number lines. The clothespeg activity I mentioned in the warm up is the perfect way to show students how numbers can be written in order. Number lines have 101 different uses, the ones included in this pack contain missing numbers, so students need to count and fill in the missing numbers. A blank number line is also included.
Blast Off
The perfect Math game! Print off a copy of the worksheet, 1 between 2 students. Students roll a dice and fill in the missing numbers in order!
Ordering numbers from least to greatest is an important skill for young students to master and these activities will make it fun and engaging! Ordering numbers is the perfect opportunity to introduce some hands-on, interactive games and activities into your Maths lessons. What are some of your favourite ordering numbers activities? I’d love to hear from you!
Download your copy of Ordering Numbers to 10 and 20 from my store and my Teachers Pay Teachers Store today!
Need some subitizing cards to practise recognising quantities to 10? Download my FREE cards here!
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