Module 2 Counting and understanding numbers
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Can I tell someone how to order two-digit numbers?

Example review questions

  • Put these numbers in order from largest to smallest. Now explain how you did it.
    35, 24, 47, 32, 28
  • These numbers are in order, smallest to largest, but one of them is in the wrong place. Which one is it? Where should it go?
    23, 36, 46, 39, 47, 55
  • Explain how you could find a two-digit number that is bigger than 27 but smaller than 45.
  • These numbers are in order, largest to smallest. Think of a number that could go into each of the empty boxes.
    56 empty box 45 empty box 37 empty box 33
  • How do you know whether 56 is larger or smaller than 65? What number could you place between these numbers?
  • Tell me how to put these in order from largest to smallest.
    50p, 54p, 40p, 55p, 45p

Teaching guidance

This teaching guidance document suggests some of the key vocabulary, models, images and practical equipment that children should experience and be able to use. It also includes some teaching tips to provide a few starting points for ways of supporting children with this area of mathematics.

PDF file Can I tell someone how to order two-digit numbers? - teaching guidance | 47KB new window

Consolidation and practice

These resources are to support children in guided or independent work.

PDF file ITP Guide | 4317KB new window

SWF file Ordering Numbers ITP | 53KB new window

SWF file Number Line ITP | 47KB new window

SWF file Twenty cards ITP | 52KB new window

PDF file Ordering numbers to 100 models and images chart | 111KB new window

PDF file Year 2 Block A lesson notes | 1181KB new window

Opportunities to use and apply

Possible contexts include:

  • Money, e.g. comparing costs by ordering items from the cheapest to the most expensive.
  • Measures, e.g. comparing lengths by ordering them from shortest to tallest/longest.
  • PE, e.g. ordering the lengths of standing long jumps (cm) or the time taken (seconds) to run a short distance.
  • Finding all possibilities, e.g. how many two-digit numbers can you make using the digits 5, 6, 7 and 8? Put them in order from smallest to largest to help you check whether you have found them all.

Confirming learning

Ask probing questions such as:

  • When you order a set of two-digit numbers, do you look at the units digit or the tens digit first? Why?
  • Would you rather have £75, £76, £67 or £66? Why?
  • I need to order these numbers from smallest to largest. Can you explain to me how to do it?
    36, 63, 66, 35, 69, 39
  • These numbers are ordered, largest to smallest. Place numbers that could go in the empty boxes.
    87 empty box 85 empty box 78 empty box 76 empty box 44 empty box 41
    Did you always have a choice of numbers for a box? Why?
  • I am thinking of a two-digit number. It is larger than 60, smaller than 80 and has the digit 2 in it. What number could it be?