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.

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Year 1

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.

Download all resources

Share activities with pupils

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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.

This lesson progresses from saying ordinal numbers to showing children how they can be mathematically recorded. Allow exploration of the relationship between ordinal and cardinal numbers outside the lesson e.g. set up races, comment when lining up.