Ordinal numbers show the position of an object in relation to another
I can recognise, name and represent ordinal numbers and explain the difference between ordinal and cardinal numbers.
Ordinal numbers show the position of an object in relation to another
I can recognise, name and represent ordinal numbers and explain the difference between ordinal and cardinal numbers.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Ordinal numbers indicate a single item or event rather than a quantity.
- Review how ordinal numbers are named and represented and show the shortened written names.
- Ordinal numbers contain part or all of the corresponding number words. First and second are exceptions.
- The difference between cardinal and ordinal numbers is the difference between quantity and position.
Keywords
Ordinal number - A number that tells the position of something in relation to something else.
Cardinal number - A number that shows how many of something there are.
First to fifth - Ordinal numbers that describe the position of something.
Common misconception
Children may confuse ordinal and cardinal numbers.
Place an emphasis on these numbers in speech throughout the day. Continue to highlight the links between them.
To help you plan your year 1 maths lesson on: Ordinal numbers show the position of an object in relation to another, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 1 maths lesson on: Ordinal numbers show the position of an object in relation to another, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 maths lessons from the Composition of numbers 0 to 5 unit, dive into the full secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions


one
two
three
four
five





Exit quiz
6 Questions
first
second
third
fourth
fifth


