Order Whole Numbers to 100

Materials: number cards 0 - 20

Preparation: Prepare a large class set and individual sets of cards numbered from 0 - 20.

Prerequisite Skills and Concepts: Children should be able to count from 1 - 10. They should also understand order.

Place all of the number cards on the floor in random order.

• Ask: Can we tell if a number is missing?
  Elicit from children that it is hard to see if a number is missing when the numbers are mixed up.

• Ask: Can you suggest a way that we might find out if a number is missing?
  Lead children to respond that they could put the numbers in order to find out if a number is missing.

• Repeat the activity again, this time removing a number.

• Ask: Is a number missing?
  Encourage the children to put the cards in order and identify the missing number.

• Say: Now we are going work in pairs (groups) to put the numbers in order.

• Break children into pairs or small groups. Give each pair or group a set of number cards and have them spread them out randomly on the table. Then have children take turns putting the cards in order.

• As you circulate, ask questions such as, "How do you know where that number goes?" "Did you count from the beginning?" "Did you count backward?"