How do you teach ordinal numbers to first graders?

Use classroom situations naturally: who is first in line? which book is in the third spot on the shelf? Connect the spoken word (first, second, third) to the written abbreviation (1st, 2nd, 3rd). Worksheets that show a row of characters and ask students to color the nth one combine ordinal knowledge with following directions.

Why do first graders need to learn ordinal numbers?

Ordinal numbers are used across daily school life — sequence in schedules, positions in line, directions in multi-step tasks, and ordering in timelines. They also appear in math word problems (who finished second?) and in reading (what happens in the third paragraph?). Understanding the difference between cardinal (how many) and ordinal (which position) is foundational to mathematical language.

1st Grade Ordinal Numbers Worksheets

Ages 6-7 · 1 sub-topics · Free previews · Print-ready PDFs

Free printable ordinal numbers math worksheets for 1st grade students (Ages 6-7). Covers Ordinal numbers. All worksheets are aligned to Common Core standards.

Written by Sarah Chen, Curriculum Developer, M.Ed.

1st Grade Math Ordinal Numbers Clear All

Ordinal Numbers▼

Ordinal numbers

$Match objects to their ordinal position - Beetle$

Match objects to their ordinal position - Beetle

GradeGrades K & 1

TopicOrdinal Numbers

$Match objects to their ordinal position (1st, 2nd, 3rd) - Fish$

Match objects to their ordinal position (1st, 2nd, 3rd) - Fish

GradeGrades K & 1

TopicOrdinal Numbers

$Match ordinal numbers to their words (ordered 1-10) - Frog$

Match ordinal numbers to their words (ordered 1-10) - Frog

GradeGrades K & 1

TopicOrdinal Numbers

$Match ordinal numbers to their words (ordered 1-10) - Horse$

Match ordinal numbers to their words (ordered 1-10) - Horse

GradeGrades K & 1

TopicOrdinal Numbers

$Match ordinal numbers to their words (random 1-10) - Sheep$

Match ordinal numbers to their words (random 1-10) - Sheep

GradeGrades K & 1

TopicOrdinal Numbers

$Match ordinal numbers to their words (random 1-10) - Snail$

Match ordinal numbers to their words (random 1-10) - Snail

GradeGrades K & 1

TopicOrdinal Numbers

$Ordinal Numbers - Pink Crab$

Ordinal Numbers - Pink Crab

Grade1st Grade

TopicOrdinal Numbers

$Ordinal Numbers - Race Car$

Ordinal Numbers - Race Car

Grade1st Grade

TopicOrdinal Numbers

$Ordinal Numbers - Turtle Race$

Ordinal Numbers - Turtle Race

Grade1st Grade

TopicOrdinal Numbers

$Ordinal Numbers (1st-5th) - Trophy$

Ordinal Numbers (1st-5th) - Trophy

Grade1st Grade

TopicOrdinal Numbers

$Ordinal Numbers (6th-10th) - Game Cup$

Ordinal Numbers (6th-10th) - Game Cup

Grade1st Grade

TopicOrdinal Numbers

$Reading ordinal numbers - Car$

Reading ordinal numbers - Car

GradeGrades K & 1

TopicOrdinal Numbers

$Reading ordinal numbers - Chicken$

Reading ordinal numbers - Chicken

GradeGrades K & 1

TopicOrdinal Numbers

Frequently Asked Questions

Ordinal numbers describe position or order: first, second, third, fourth, through tenth and beyond. They are distinct from cardinal numbers that describe quantity. First grade introduces ordinal numbers as part of number sense and are referenced in various CCSS standards through their use in word problems and sequencing activities.

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