Oodles of ordinals

Children will integrate Math, Social Studies, Physical Education, Art, and Music to discover, explore, practice and enjoy the ordinal numbers “first” through “tenth.”

A lesson plan for grade K Mathematics

By Cynthia Woolery

Learn more

• Ask Dr. Math frequently asked questions about math at a variety of school levels
• ENC subscription service which contains materials created by the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics

Related pages

• Ordinals concentration: Ordinals Concentration is a matching game that provides practice and review identifying ordinal numbers to ten.
• Sea inventory: In this lesson students will create a beach mural with sand, shells, and blue and white finger paints. They will count objects added to the mural as they go along.
• Number fun: Students will use games to recognize numbers. They will match the number with a set of objects. This is a two day lesson with 45 minutes each day.

Related topics

• Learn more about counting, kinesthetic learners, mathematics, number sense, and ordinals.

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Learning outcomes

The student will identify, explore, practice, and use the ordinal numbers from first to tenth in a variety of ways.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

Varies

Materials/resources

• plain paper
• construction paper
• crayons
• pencils
• sidewalk chalk
• noisemaking objects
• ball of string

Activities

Daily Routines

Have children divide their papers into fourths. They will draw a picture of an activity they do each day in each of the sections of the paper. They will number their pictures 1–4. Display the ordinals first, second, third and fourth. Ask students to label pictures with the appropriate ordinal number. You can adjust number of events depending on ability. Make cards from construction paper with ordinal numbers first to tenth. These can be used in many ways.

1. Line up game and tenup: have ten children line up. Give cards to ten children who are seated. They are to find the correct child and give them the appropriate card. When the children are very comfortable with this, you can play ten-up using the cards. All children except the ten with the cards put their heads down. The children give their cards to a person with their eyes shut. When all cards have been distributed, the children stand and guess who gave them the card. You can not call them by name, only by their position in line. Great fun!
2. All Aboard!: Line up ten chairs, pass out cards and let children label the chairs. Assign “seats” on the train by calling child’s name and an ordinal number. A “conductor” can soon take over for you!
3. Concentration/Matching Game: Make a second set of cards with the numbers 1–10 written on them. Lead your students to discover that the last two letters of the ordinal number are the letters used to make an abbreviation or symbol for that ordinal number i.e. the abbreviation for first is 1 plus “st” and so on. Add the appropriate letters to the numbers. Play concentration or match up.

Ordinal Course

On the playground label different stations with the words “first” through “tenth.” At each station have instructions such as hop six times on one foot then go to the seventh station. Start your children at different stations; pair students as needed. Watch the fun!

Family Participation Project

Have your students interview someone who has completed high school. They are to find out one thing the person learned in each grade from first to tenth. They will then use this information to make a time line and discuss with the class.

Name that sound

Have children write ordinal numbers in order listed on a sheet of lined paper. Demonstrate noise making objects such as wooden sticks, clicker, spoons, bell, etc. List their names on the overhead. Make the noises without children seeing which one you are using. Have children write the names in the appropriate spaces.

String a Story

Have children sit in a circle. Give a ball of string to one child to begin the story. He begins by using the word “first.” Then he must pass the ball (holding on to the end of the string) to another person who adds to the story and begins their part with “second.” Enjoy your story web!

Assessment

Observation and products from projects.

Supplemental information

Comments

Ordinal Course: If you have a child who is not able to read simple instructions or ordinal numbers (my ESL child needed help) then pair that child with a student who will be able to assist.

String a Story: Divide your class into groups of 5–8 students. When the story is finished ask the children to write and/or illustrate their special story. Great makings of an “Ordinal Book” to share with the Kindergarten class!