When we think about developing number sense, it can be tempting to keep searching for a new activity for every lesson or math rotation. But sometimes the best resources are the ones you can pull out again and again.
As teachers, we definitely don’t want to spend our time printing, laminating and cutting out a million different sets of number cards, only to use each set once! Instead, we want versatile resources that students can use in different ways as their understanding develops.
Our Ordering Numbers Activity is a perfect example. The number cards represent numbers in a variety of ways, including numerals, number words, expanded form, tens and ones, base-ten blocks and tally marks. This means students aren’t simply reading a number, they need to interpret the representation and think about the quantity it represents.
Here are five simple ways you can use the same set of number cards to develop number sense in your classroom, because as teachers, we need to work smarter and not harder!
Grade 1 Number Sense Activities
1. Build a Hundreds Chart
Give students the complete collection of number cards and challenge them to work together to create a hundreds chart.
This is a fantastic small-group or partner investigation because the numbers aren’t all presented as numerals. Students first need to work out what each card represents before deciding where it belongs.
“I loved this resource! My students had a lot of fun making the giant 100s chart!” Brandi
Rather than completing a ready-made hundreds chart, students are constructing the number system themselves, encouraging problem-solving, reasoning and plenty of mathematical talk and language.
“This resource was great for my class with practising ordering numbers in a 100 chart. I liked how the numbers were represented in different ways and could be used for different activities.” Rebecca
2. Create a Number Line
You don’t always need all the cards.
Choose a smaller selection and ask students to arrange them along a number line. You could draw a number line on a mini whiteboard, create one on the floor, make one using a piece of string or even create number lines using playdough.
Students first need to determine the value represented by each card and then think about where it belongs in relation to the other numbers.
You can extend the conversation by asking:
- Which two numbers are closest together?
- Where would 50 sit?
- Which number is closest to 100?
- Is there a large gap anywhere on your number line?
- What number could fit between these two cards?
The cards haven’t changed, but the mathematical thinking and process has.
“My students LOVED the challenge of this activity!” Taylor
3. Order Numbers From Smallest to Largest
This is the original purpose of the activity and a great one to revisit regularly.
Ask students to randomly select five or six cards and arrange them in ascending order. Once they have checked their thinking, return the cards and choose another six to arrange in descending order.
Because numbers are represented in different ways, students need to look beyond the format of the card and compare the actual values. For example, they might be comparing a numeral with a collection of base-ten blocks, an expanded number and a number written in words.
This makes a simple ordering activity much richer than giving students six numerals on a worksheet.
This is a great hands on activity that students can use independently. I use it for comparing and ordering numbers.” Teaching to Connect
4. Turn It Into Number of the Day
We love a resource that can work with something you already have in your classroom.
Ask a student to randomly choose one card and make that your Number of the Day (Bonus: you can grab a FREE copy of our 2-digit Number of the Day template here).
Students first work out the number represented on the card and then use a Number of the Day template to explore it in more depth. Depending on your students, they could represent the number in different ways, partition it, identify its place value, draw it using base-ten blocks or explore numbers that are greater or less than it.
Pairing the cards with a Number of the Day template and you’ve instantly created another activity without needing another set of materials.
“Very helpful activity to help students with number sense” Stephanie
5. Find the Number Neighbours
For this activity, students randomly select one number card and work out the number it represents.
They write the number in the middle of their mini whiteboard and then find its number neighbours:
One less ← NUMBER → One more
So, if the number is 46, students would write:
45 ← 46 → 47
Once students are confident, extend the activity to thinking in tens:
Ten less ← NUMBER → Ten more
It’s a simple extension, but it encourages students to notice what happens to a number when we add or subtract 1 compared with adding or subtracting 10.
“This is highly engaging for the students in my class. Helped with differentiation for the wide range of needs. Students thoroughly enjoyed using this activity during rotations.” Mel
One Resource, Lots of Number Sense Learning!
Building number sense doesn’t mean having a cupboard overflowing with different activities.
In fact, repeatedly using a familiar resource in new mathematical contexts can be incredibly powerful. Students already understand how the cards work, so instead of spending time learning the rules of another activity, they can focus their energy on the mathematics.
One set of number sense cards can become:
- A hundreds chart
- A number line
- An ordering investigation
- A Number of the Day prompt and
- A number neighbours activity
That’s five different learning experiences without printing, laminating or cutting out another thing. And for us, that’s exactly what working smarter, not harder looks like in the math classroom.
“I saw this product on TikTok and decided to purchase it! I used it to play several games, such as having students pull random cards and order themselves. I also had the students make a giant hundreds chart puzzle with all the pieces and they had so much fun! Such a fabulous resource because of all of the different applications available!” Maddy
Grab your copy of our Ordering Number cards here.
Rainbows ahead 🌈
What to read next:
Grade 1 Math station focused on Number Sense
Discover the best math tool ever!
Podcast Episode: 6 Brain Break ideas
About the Author: Ashleigh Smith
Ashleigh Smith is an experienced primary educator, former school leader and Co-Founder of Rainbow Sky Creations. With almost 20 years in education, Ashleigh has taught in Australia and internationally in Dubai, UAE. Today, she draws on her classroom and leadership experience to create practical, engaging resources that save teachers time and make learning meaningful and fun. A passionate cheerleader for teachers, Ashleigh is all about helping educators work smarter, not harder. She also co-hosts the Rainbow Skies for Teachers podcast, sharing practical ideas, strategies and encouragement with primary teachers around the world. Connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn.
