Up, Down, First, Last! Learning Position Words and Ordinal Numbers

Math Grades 1st Grade 9:19 Video
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Lesson Description

A fun lesson to help 1st graders understand position words like above, below, in front, behind and ordinal numbers like first, second, third, and so on.

Video Resource

Position words & Ordinal Numbers | Maths | Maths For Kids | Learn Grade 1

KidsClassroom - Nursery Rhymes & Kids Songs

Duration: 9:19
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Position Words (above, below, in front, behind, next to)
  • Ordinal Numbers (first, second, third, fourth, fifth)
  • Relative Position (describing where something is in relation to something else)

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify and use position words to describe the location of objects.
  • Students will be able to identify and use ordinal numbers to describe the position of objects in a sequence.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students if they know what position words are. Have them give examples of words they might already know (e.g., up, down). Briefly introduce the concept of ordinal numbers by asking who is first in line or what place they came in a race. Tell them they will be learning more about this.
  • Video Viewing (5 mins)
    Play the video 'Position words & Ordinal Numbers | Maths | Maths For Kids | Learn Grade 1'. Tell the students to pay attention to the different position words and ordinal numbers that are used.
  • Discussion and Examples (10 mins)
    After watching the video, ask students to name the position words they learned. Write them on the board. Then, ask them to name the ordinal numbers they learned and write them on the board as well. Provide examples of each word, like "The book is on the table." or "You are second in line."
  • Interactive Activity - Simon Says (10 mins)
    Play a game of 'Simon Says' using position words. For example: 'Simon says, put your hands above your head.' or 'Simon says, put your foot behind your chair.' Play another round using ordinal numbers, lining students up and giving them directions, like 'The first person in line hop on one foot', 'The second person in line wave their hand'
  • Worksheet Activity (10 mins)
    Distribute a worksheet with pictures of objects in different positions. The worksheet should include activities like circling objects in a certain position (e.g., 'Circle the ball that is above the box') or matching ordinal numbers to their corresponding written form (e.g., matching '1st' with 'First').
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the position words and ordinal numbers learned in the lesson. Ask students to give examples of how they can use these words in everyday life.

Interactive Exercises

  • Classroom Positioning
    Have students give each other directions using position words. For example, 'Stand in front of the door.' or 'Put your pencil next to your paper.'
  • Ordinal Number Line-Up
    Give students numbered cards (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) and have them line up in the correct order.

Discussion Questions

  • Can you think of other position words that we didn't talk about?
  • Where do you usually see ordinal numbers being used?

Skills Developed

  • Listening Comprehension
  • Vocabulary Development
  • Spatial Reasoning

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

The cat is _____ the box.

Correct Answer: in

Question 2:

Which word tells you what place someone is in?

Correct Answer: first

Question 3:

The dog is _____ the table.

Correct Answer: below

Question 4:

What comes after second?

Correct Answer: third

Question 5:

The bird is flying ____ the clouds.

Correct Answer: over

Question 6:

If you are 4th in line, how many people are in front of you?

Correct Answer: Three

Question 7:

The boy is standing _____ the tree.

Correct Answer: beside

Question 8:

Which of these is NOT a position word?

Correct Answer: Funny

Question 9:

What number comes just before fifth?

Correct Answer: fourth

Question 10:

The ball is _____ the chair.

Correct Answer: under

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The number that comes after first is ____________.

Correct Answer: second

Question 2:

If something is under something else, it is ____________ it.

Correct Answer: below

Question 3:

You are in ____________ place if you win a race!

Correct Answer: first

Question 4:

The opposite of behind is ____________.

Correct Answer: front

Question 5:

Third, fourth, and fifth are all ____________ numbers.

Correct Answer: ordinal

Question 6:

The apple is ___________ the box. (inside)

Correct Answer: inside

Question 7:

Before you're third in line you are ___________ in line.

Correct Answer: second

Question 8:

If you are beside your friend you are _________ to them

Correct Answer: next

Question 9:

If the book is _________ the table, you can't see it

Correct Answer: under

Question 10:

Above, below and next to are all examples of __________ words

Correct Answer: position

Educational Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.1.NBT.A.1:Count to 120, starting at any number less than 120. In this range, read and write numerals and represent a number of objects with a written numeral. CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.A.1:Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

Teaching Materials

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