number · Foundation · Suggested learning sequence
Ordinal numbers
Ordinal numbers tell us position: first, second, third, fourth and so on. Before counting, find where 'first' is: the child next to the flag, or the winner of a race. Then count along, saying a position word for each person, up to and including the person you want. If 3 runners finish ahead of you, they are first, second and third, so you are fourth. Counting from the back is counting from the other end of the same line.
Sample questions
The children are lining up at the flag. The child next to the flag is first. What position is the child in the orange shirt?
- Start at the flag. The child next to it is first.
- Count along the line to the orange shirt: first.
- The child in the orange shirt is first.
Answer: first
The children are lining up at the flag. The child next to the flag is first. What position is the child in the orange shirt?
- Start at the flag. The child next to it is first.
- Count along the line to the orange shirt: first, second, third, fourth, fifth.
- The child in the orange shirt is fifth.
Answer: fifth
The children are lining up at the flag. The child next to the flag is first. What position is the child in the orange shirt?
- Start at the flag. The child next to it is first.
- Count along the line to the orange shirt: first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth.
- The child in the orange shirt is sixth.
Answer: sixth