Putting numbers in order from smallest to biggest brings together everything a child has learned about counting and comparing. To order four numbers, a child has to find the smallest, then the next smallest, and keep going until none are left. Each item on this page is a row of numbers in a mixed-up order, with the same number of empty cards underneath, and the child writes the numbers into the cards from the smallest to the biggest.
Support sheets use three cards with numbers up to 10, standard sheets use four cards with numbers up to 20, and challenge sheets use five cards. A useful trick is to find the smallest card first, cover it with a finger, and look for the smallest one left.
What your child will learn
Find the smallest of a group of numbers
Put numbers in order from smallest to biggest
Write numbers up to 20
Compare numbers up to 20
Common Core standard: K.CC.C.7
Worked example
The numbers are 9, 3, 6. The smallest is 3, so write 3 first. Next is 6, then 9: 3, 6, 9.
Common mistake
Putting the numbers in the order they appear, or ordering by how wide the digits look.
Helpful hint
Find the smallest card first. Then look for the smallest card that is left.