You will learn
- Put numbers in order from smallest to greatest.
- Find the number before, after and between.
- Use first, last, smallest and greatest.
- Order a set of numbers up to 20 and explain how.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- Order means putting numbers in a line by a rule.
- Before is one less. After is one more.
- Between is in the middle of two numbers.
- Smallest to greatest starts small and ends big.
Words to know
Putting things one after another in a rule.
Comes earlier in counting. 4 is before 5.
Comes later in counting. 6 is after 5.
In the middle of two numbers. 5 is between 4 and 6.
1. Discover: line up in order
Five children get ticket numbers: 3, 1, 5, 2, 4. They must stand in a line with the smallest number first. Who stands first? Who is last?
2. Understand: putting numbers in order
When we count, numbers come in a special order: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5… We can use this to order any numbers. The smallest number comes first. The greatest comes last.
The number before 8 is 7. The number after 8 is 9. The number between 7 and 9 is 8.
To order a set, find the smallest, then the next smallest, and so on. We can also order from greatest to smallest.
Idea 1: Smallest to greatest
Start with the smallest number. Then the next. End with the greatest. The numbers 5, 3, 4 in order are 3, 4, 5.
Tip: find the smallest first and cross it out. Then find the smallest that is left.
Idea 2: Before, after and between
The number before 8 is 7. The number after 8 is 9. The number between 7 and 9 is 8.
Why? Counting goes 7, 8, 9.
Idea 3: Greatest to smallest
You can also order the other way. Start with the greatest. The numbers 5, 3, 4 become 5, 4, 3.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Order 6, 2, 4
Put 6, 2 and 4 in order from smallest.
- Find the smallest: 2.
- The smallest left is 4.
- The last is 6.
Answer: 2, 4, 6
Example 2 (We do it together): Between 13 and 15
What number is between 13 and 15?
- Count: 13, 14, 15.
- The middle number is 14.
Answer: 14
Example 3 (You try): Greatest to smallest
Put 9, 12 and 7 in order from greatest.
Show the steps and answer
- The greatest is 12.
- Next is 9.
- The smallest is 7.
Answer: 12, 9, 7
Did you know?
A race has first, second and third place. Houses on a street and pages in a book also use number order.
Why this matters
Order helps us find a page, a house or a place in a line. It also helps us compare numbers quickly.
4. Explore: number cards
Make 8 small cards with the numbers 3, 9, 5, 12, 7, 1, 10 and 15.
- Mix the cards.
- Put the cards in order, smallest first.
- Say each number as you go.
- Turn them around and order from greatest to smallest.
Think about it: what did you notice?
Smallest to greatest: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 15. Greatest to smallest is the same list backwards.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- The number before ___ is ___.
- The number after ___ is ___.
- ___ is between ___ and ___.
- In order, the smallest number is ___.
Guided practice
Question 1. What number is between 8 and 10?
9.
Question 2. What number is just before 15?
14.
Question 3. Order from smallest: 6, 2, 4.
2, 4, 6.
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- Put in order from smallest: 5, 3, 4.
- What comes just after 12?
- What is between 17 and 19?
- Which is the greatest: 6, 14, 9?
- Write the missing numbers: 10, 11, __, 13, __.
Level 2: Grow
- Put in order from smallest: 8, 5, 7.
- What number is just before 20?
- Put in order from greatest: 3, 9, 6.
Level 3: Stretch
- Write the missing numbers: 11, __, 13, __, __, 16.
- Put in order from smallest: 15, 9, 12, 7.
- I am thinking of a number. It is after 14 and before 16. What is it?
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: everyday mathematics
Three runners finish a race in the order 2, 1, 3 (their numbers). The prize goes in number order. Who is first?
Show a sample answer
In number order the runner numbered 1 is first, then 2, then 3.
Another one. Five children have the numbers 9, 4, 12, 7 and 2 on their shirts. How do they line up from smallest to greatest?
Show a sample answer
2, 4, 7, 9, 12.
7. Common mistakes
Fix: Say the counting order to yourself: the number you say first is before.
Fix: Count to check. A number that comes later in counting is greater.
Fix: Before comes earlier in counting. After comes later. Say the counting list: 7, 8, 9.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can put numbers in order from smallest to greatest.
- I can find the number before, after and between.
- I can use first, last, smallest and greatest.
- I can order numbers up to 20 and explain how.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- Numbers have an order from smallest to greatest.
- Use before, after and between to find missing numbers.
- Find the smallest first when ordering.
11. Next lesson
Lesson 7: Counting forwards and backwards. You will count on and back from any number.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- Write in order from smallest: 9, 4, 7. [2 marks]
- What number is between 18 and 20? [1 mark]
- Write the missing numbers: 11, 12, __, 14, __, 16. [2 marks]
- Which is the greatest, 6, 17 or 12? Explain how you know. [2 marks]
- Write the number after 14 and the number before 14. [2 marks]
Total: 9 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- 4, 7, 9 [2]. Give 1 mark if only one number is out of place.
- 19 [1]
- 13 [1], 15 [1]
- 17 [1]. It comes latest in counting [1].
- 15 [1], 13 [1]
Score guide: 8 to 9 = secure. 6 to 7 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 6 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- Order from smallest: 4, 2, 6.
- What number is just after 9?
- What number is between 12 and 14?
- Circle the greatest: 8, 15, 11.
- Order from greatest: 3, 7, 5.
- Put in order from smallest: 2, 6, 4.
- What comes just after 9?
- What number is between 15 and 17?
- Which is the smallest: 13, 8 or 11?
- Put in order from greatest: 5, 8, 6.
Homework
Write 6 numbers from 1 to 20 on small pieces of paper. Mix them and put them in order. Then put them in order from greatest to smallest. Show a family member.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Order 4, 2, 6 | 2, 4, 6 | 2 |
| Number after 9 | 10 | 2 |
| Between 12 and 14 | 13 | 2 |
| Greatest of 8, 15, 11 | 15 | 2 |
| Order 3, 7, 5 greatest first | 7, 5, 3 | 2 |
| Total | 10 |
Practice answers: Worksheet: 1 2, 4, 6; 2 10; 3 13; 4 15; 5 7, 5, 3.
Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 A, 3 B, 4 C, 5 A, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 B, Challenge 2 C.
Extra worksheet answers (items 6 onward): 6 2, 4, 6; 7 10; 8 16; 9 8; 10 8, 6, 5.
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 3, 4, 5; 2 13; 3 18; 4 14; 5 12 and 14. Level 2: 1 5, 7, 8; 2 19; 3 9, 6, 3. Level 3: 1 12, 14, 15; 2 7, 9, 12, 15; 3 15.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Put numbers in order from smallest to greatest | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Find the number before, after and between | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Use first, last, smallest and greatest | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Order a set of numbers up to 20 and explain how | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: Learners may mix up before and after. Use a number line or step along cards.
- Explain another way: use real objects first, then pictures.
- Show a simpler example: Order three number cards at a time, then add more.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child puts numbers in order and finds the number before, after and between. You do not need to be good at mathematics to help.
- Line up objects in order: five cups from smallest to biggest.
- Ask: what is one more than 7? One less than 7?
- Play I am thinking of a number between 12 and 14.
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: put numbers in order from smallest to greatest; find the number before, after and between; use first, last, smallest and greatest; order a set of numbers up to 20 and explain how.
Prerequisite knowledge. Lessons 1 to 5.
Materials. Counters (stones, seeds or bottle tops), paper, pencils, board or chalkboard. Low-resource options: use stones, seeds, sticks, bottle tops or drawings in the sand or on the board instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Gather the counters and draw the example pictures on the board before the lesson.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Call learners with number cards to stand in order.
Explanation (10 min). Link counting order to before, after and between. Show how to find the smallest first.
Guided activity (10 min). Learners order number cards in pairs.
Independent activity (10 min). Learners complete ordering tasks.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. How do you find the smallest first? What comes before 12? What is between 17 and 19?
Teacher explanation notes. Use the concrete, pictorial, abstract order: real objects first, then pictures, then symbols and words. Return to real objects whenever a learner needs support.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use real objects and work with a partner; say each step aloud together. Extension. Ask learners to make up their own example and explain it to a partner.
Formative assessment. Listen to learner explanations, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. Learners may mix up before and after. Use a number line or step along cards.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz and worksheet on this page. The 9-mark exam practice scheme, the 10-mark scheme and all answers are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer and the marking scheme before publication.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Order three number cards at a time, then add more. Enrichment. Invite learners to find or create three more examples at home or in the classroom and explain them. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which concepts learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points named in the Courseversity standard: Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, Cambridge Primary and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Official standards for this topic area. Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (official site): Grade 1 » Number & Operations in Base Ten. These pages list the standards that cover this topic area; read them alongside the lesson.
Research used to shape this lesson. Common Core K.CC.A.2 (counting forward from a given number); Cambridge Primary Mathematics Stage 1. These sources informed the lesson.