Teaching Ordinal Numbers
I Spy Game:
As promised, here is another fun and easy idea for teaching ordinal numbers! Simply run off the template on construction paper.
Laminate the strips and cut them out on a paper cutter. Have students write their name on the back and use as a bookmark or pointer when not using for ordinal number instruction.
Play "I Spy An Ordinal Number!" using the strips. Children can simply use their finger and point to the number or you can pass out an M&M, Skittle or Smartie piece of candy and have them use it as a manipulative.
Call on a quiet child and have them choose an ordinal number for the students to place their candy on. This is a wonderful way to whole group assess.
Because children are looking at the number, as well as the number word, they are continuously seeing those pairs together and via repetition through this fun game, they will soon be reading ordinal number words!
After all of the numbers have been called, students can eat their manipulative as a yummy reward for their endeavors.
Click on the link to view/print the ordinal number line.
Ordinal Number Flashcards:
Print off the flashcards and have your students continue to identify the words with their number counter parts, or make a duplicate set and turn them into a Memory Match game, or run off copies for your students to trace and cut out, assembling the cards into an Itty Bitty booklet!
After you have done a few of these things, your students are sure to understand ordinal numbers. Reward them with a certificate of praise.
Click on the links to view/print a set of traceable ordinal number flashcards and an ordinal number certificate of praise.
Extra Teachable Moment Tips:
Whenever I explain and model things to my students I always use ordinal numbers. i.e., First we are going to do this. Second we are going to do this etc.
When I put tabletop lessons on the board in the morning, I label them 1st 2nd and 3rd etc.
Give each of your students 6 different colors of unifix cubes. Using ordinal numbers as directional clues, have your students place the various colored cubes on each other making a tower. i.e., "First pick up a green cube. Second place it on the bottom of a white cube. Third put a blue cube on top of the green cube etc." This activity not only helps review ordinal numbers, but reinforces listening and following spatial directions as well.
Do you have a teaching tip you'd like to share? I'd enjoy hearing from you! diane@teachwithme.com
An easy way for your students to understand ordinal numbers is to have them DO something in order as a sequence.
A fun way to reinforce this concept is for students to put a themed puzzle together.
Make it even more interesting by having them play the “Puzzle Game”!
Here’s How:
I make up puzzles from clipart to match whatever theme or lesson that we are studying that week.
Depending on the level of your students, you can make them as simple or as difficult as you want by cutting them into more pieces.
I don’t do anymore than 6 because I want to keep the time frame short and because I want to use a normal dice.
If you want to use these each year, then run off a class set of templates and laminate them.
Cut the puzzle pieces apart and keep each set in a Snack Baggie. Put all of the Snack Baggies in an extra large Ziploc Baggie with the numbered boards.
Rules:
Students choose a partner to play with. Each child gets their own puzzle board and Snack Baggie of pieces. Each pair gets one dice.
I like to use the big foam dice to keep the noise down. Children spill out their pieces and take turns rolling the dice.
Because they must do things in order, they have to roll a 1 and place the first puzzle piece on their template. After they have rolled a 1, then they must roll a 2 and so on, ‘til the last number they are rolling for is a 6.
Set a timer for a certain amount of time. The child who completes their puzzle, or the one who has the most pieces on their puzzle board by the time the timer rings, is the winner.
I give everyone a seasonal sticker for participation. After the game, we count out loud as we tuck the puzzle pieces back into the Baggies.
This ensures that you have all of the pieces in the correct Snack Baggie for next year. It’s also a great way to reinforce ordinal number counting.
Home-School Connection:
If the theme happens to be centered around a holiday like this one, Thanksgiving, I will run off an extra set, and let the children take it home to cut out and play with their family, further reinforcing the lesson. My students are really happy about this, as they always beg to take the games home that we play in class.
Extra's:
As a writing-reading extension after the game, I have my students trace, write and read the ordinal number words on a skill sheet.
Click on the link to view/print the ordinal number pilgrim & turkey templates.
Be sure and pop in tomorrow for two more ordinal number tips and FREEBIES!
