Competency: Recognize Ordinal Numbers (1st - 10th)

Lesson Overview: The purpose of this lesson is to teach students to recognize ordinal
numbers first through tenth.

This lesson plan includes:

1. Ordinal Numbers (First –Tenth)

2. Ordinal Numbers 1st-10th Abbreviations
3. Ordinal Numbers 1st –10th Listen and Circle
4. Ordinal Numbers 1st-10th Listen and Circle Answer Key
5. Ordinal Numbers 1st-10th Matching
6. Ordinal Numbers 1st-10th Crossword Puzzle (optional)
7. Days of the Week (optional)
8. Months of the Year (optional)
9. Ordinal Numbers Vocabulary Flash Cards
10. Referenced books and materials

Approximate Time: one hour

Prerequisite Skills: Students must recognize the alphabet, be able to follow simple one-
step directions, and recognize primary cardinal numbers.

Vocabulary:

order Vocabulary Review:

set
first number(s)
second one
third two
fourth three
fifth four
sixth five
seventh six
eighth seven
ninth eight
tenth nine
ordinal numbers (optional) ten

2001-2002 ESL Special Project

Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
Basic Skills Department
Competency: Recognize Ordinal Numbers (1st-10th) Page 1
Materials Needed: White board or flip chart, erasable markers, handouts, Ordinal
Numbers Vocabulary Flash Cards (optional) and prizes (optional).

Equipment Needed: Multimedia computer with Internet access (optional)

Activities:

1. Explain the purpose of the lesson and the roles that ordinal numbers play in
everyday living, work, etc. Explain to the students that ordinal numbers indicate
the order or rank of things in a set. If appropriate have students engage in this
discussion.

2. Give students Handout: Ordinal Numbers (First through Tenth) to refer to.
Write the ordinal numbers in sequence on the board or flip chart and read to the
students. Review orally.

3. Read the ordinal numbers written on the board again and have students repeat
them in unison or name them as you point to the ordinal numbers. Repeat as
necessary.

4. Repeat the above exercise except this time ask for individual responses.
Repeat as necessary.

5. Write the ordinal numbers one at a time and in random order on the board and
ask for oral responses. To increase/enhance participation have the students
repeat in them in unison.

6. Call out ordinal numbers and have the students write down the number on a
piece of paper. After calling out each number, write the correct answer on the
board. Have the students check their own work, and go over any missed
numbers.

7. Students can practice writing ordinal numbers on Handout: Ordinal Numbers

(First through Tenth). Check students’ work.

8. Explain to the students that ordinal numbers can be written in an abbreviated

form. Give students Handout: Ordinal Numbers 1st - 10th Abbreviations.
Write down the ordinal number and the corresponding abbreviation on the board
or flip chart. (Example: first 1st)

2001-2002 ESL Special Project

Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
Basic Skills Department
Competency: Recognize Ordinal Numbers (1st-10th) Page 2
 9. Give students Handout: Ordinal Numbers (1st - 10th) Matching. Review orally
as necessary.

10. Give students Handout: Ordinal Numbers (1st - 10th) Listen and Circle. The
answer key is included. Review as necessary.

11. Give the students examples of when ordinal numbers are used. (Ex. Days of
the week, months of the year, shelves in the classroom, tables, order of
completing a race, etc.)

12. Have ten students stand in a line**. Call out the ordinal number of each student
in line (Ex. Maria is first, Danny is second, Tyler is third) and give each student
a flashcard with the ordinal number you call out. See Ordinal Number
Flashcards. Have the students practice conversation by saying the following
sentence: I am _________ in line. (Fill in the blank with the number the student
has been given.) **You may want to have every student stand up or have the
students in line sit in a chair so that students will not feel embarrassed.

13. Repeat the above exercise with the remaining students in class (No more than
10 at a time).

Assessment/Evaluation of Learning:

1. Teacher observation of students’ participation.

2. Evaluation of student worksheets.

Follow-up Activities:

5. Place the Ordinal Number Flashcards 1st through 10th on the edge of the
board or in a pocket chart. Have the students put the ordinal numbers in order.
You can also start with the numbers in order and remove a few of them. Then
have students fill in the missing numbers.

6. If your classroom has Internet access the following website

http://www.janbrett.com/piggybacks/ordinal.htm has an online quiz about ordinal
numbers. This website includes ordinal numbers 1 st through 20th.

7. Give students Ordinal Numbers 1st – 10th Crossword Puzzle. This crossword
2001-2002 ESL Special Project
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
Basic Skills Department
Competency: Recognize Ordinal Numbers (1st-10th) Page 3
 puzzle was made using the software Crossword Construction Kit 98. See
http://www.crosswordkit.com/ to download. The evaluation copy is available for
use for 30 days. After that, the license must be purchased.

2001-2002 ESL Special Project

Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
Basic Skills Department
Competency: Recognize Ordinal Numbers (1st-10th) Page 4