- marker
- masking tape
- number cards
- fifth
- first
- fourth
- second
- third
MA Standards:
Speaking and Listening/SL.PK.MA.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners during daily routines and play.
Mathematics/Counting and Cardinality/PK.CC.MA.1: Listen to and say the names of numbers in meaningful contexts.
Mathematics/Counting and Cardinality/PK.CC.MA.2: Recognize and name written numerals 0-10.
Head Start Outcomes:
Logic and Reasoning/Reasoning and Problem Solving: Classifies, compares, and contrasts objects, events, and experiences.
PreK Learning Guidelines:
Mathematics/Number Sense 3: Use positional language and ordinal numbers (first, second, third) in everyday activities.
Talk Together: In Order
© Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Early Education and Care (Jennifer Waddell photographer). All rights reserved.
ELA Focus Skills: Follow Directions, Math, Speaking and Listening, Vocabulary
Discuss how in the video Between the Lions "Roller Coaster," people stood in line waiting to ride the roller coaster. Tell children they are going to stand in line and talk about who is first, second, third, fourth, and fifth in line.
Secure a strip of masking tape on the floor. Write the numerals 1–5 several inches apart. Have children count aloud with you as you write each one.
- Place number cards on a table, face down.
- Pick up the number card 3 and read it aloud.
- Walk to and stand on the 3, facing toward the number 1, as in a line.
- Choose four volunteers to pick the remaining cards and stand on the matching numbers.
- Say, I am the third person in line. Who is first? Who is second? Who is fourth? Who is fifth?
- Encourage children to respond using the ordinal number, for example, I am the fourth person in line. Then have the class repeat, saying Marta is the fourth person in line.
- Ask the volunteers to put their numbers back and sit down.
- Let five more children come up, take a card, and stand on the matching numbers.
- Ask similar questions, calling the numbers out of order, for example, ask, Who is fifth? First? Fourth? Second? Third?
English Language Learners: Have children count with you in their home language as you point to each number on the line. After they say the number in their home language, say it in English. Have them say it in English after you. Repeat as children gain mastery.