Lesson 82: Writing numbers neatly

🧮 MATH (40 Lessons) • 🟢 A. Numbers and Counting

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Objective

I can write numbers to 100 neatly and read them correctly on a number line or in a list.

Materials

Mini-lesson — Writing numbers neatly to 100

In this lesson, you practise writing numbers from 0 to 100 so they are clear and easy to read. Neat numbers help everyone see what you mean.

Neat digits (0–9)

  • Each digit has its own shape. Keep your lines smooth and closed.
  • Write digits so they sit on the line and do not float above it.
  • Try not to make digits too big or too tiny. Keep them about the same size.

Writing two-digit numbers

  • Two-digit numbers have a tens digit and a ones digit.
  • In 23, the 2 stands for 2 tens, and the 3 stands for 3 ones.
  • Write the tens digit first, then the ones digit, without swapping them.

Avoiding common mistakes

  • Do not turn 12 into 21. Check the order of the digits.
  • Make 6 and 9 different shapes so you do not mix them up.
  • Keep 0 as a neat oval, not too squashed or pointy.

Using lines and boxes

  • Write one digit in each box or space.
  • Leave small spaces between numbers so they do not join together.
  • When you write a list (for example, 10, 11, 12, 13), keep the digits lined up.

Take your time. It is better to write slowly and neatly than fast and messy. Neat numbers make your counting, adding, and subtracting much easier later on.

Picture strip: Number line and neat vs messy numbers.

Number line 0–20

Neat vs messy

Guided Practice — Tracing and checking numbers

You will practise writing numbers from 0 to 100. Use your notebook or a piece of paper and the tracing pad to make your numbers neat.

  1. Warm-up digits: On your page, write the digits 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 in a row. Keep each digit close to the line and about the same size.
  2. Write counting numbers: On the next line, write 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Check that you did not swap the order of the digits.
  3. Count in tens: Now write 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100. Notice how the tens digit changes each time.
  4. Tricky pairs: Choose two numbers that can be mixed up, like 12 and 21 or 16 and 61. Write each pair slowly and check which digit is in the tens place.
  5. Use the tracing pad: On the tracing pad, pick numbers from the list (for example 10, 25, 40, or 90) and trace them carefully.
  6. Check your work: Look at your numbers. Ask yourself: Are my digits clear? Are any numbers reversed? Did I keep the digits on the line?
  7. Fix and improve: If you find a messy number, write it again more neatly under it. Neat practice helps your future math work.
Tracing Pad
Tracing snapshot for print
Tip: Keep each digit on the line and leave a tiny space between numbers so they do not join together.

Practice 1 — Order the numbers

Drag each number chip into the boxes to put the numbers in order from smallest to greatest. Look carefully so you do not mix up digits.

1) Put these in order: 21, 41, 14, 12.

2141 1412

2) Put these in order: 52, 25, 51, 15.

5225 5115

3) Put these in order: 39, 93, 23, 32.

3993 2332

4) Put these in order: 61, 16, 10, 100.

6116 10100

5) Put these in order: 42, 94, 49, 24.

4294 4924

6) Put these in order: 55, 31, 35, 53.

5531 3553

7) Put these in order: 82, 18, 81, 28.

8218 8128

8) Put these in order: 77, 33, 73, 37.

7733 7337

9) Put these in order: 86, 26, 68, 62.

8626 6862

10) Put these in order: 84, 44, 48, 40.

8444 4840

Practice 2 — Find the number on the line

Tap the correct tick on each number line to match the written number.

1) Find 12

Tap the tick that shows 12.

2) Find 24

Tap the tick that shows 24.

3) Between 50 and 52

Tap the tick that shows 51.

4) In the sixties

Tap the tick that shows 63.

5) Close to eighty

Tap the tick that shows 79.

6) Near the end of the chart

Tap the tick that shows 96.

Practice 3 — Slider numbers

Move each slider to show the correct number. Check that you stop on the right digit.

1) Slide to 34

Move the slider to 34.

Current: 0

2) One more than 49

Move the slider to the number that is one more than 49.

Current: 0

3) One less than 60

Move the slider to the number that is one less than 60.

Current: 0

4) Near 100

Move the slider to 98, a number very close to 100.

Current: 0

Quick Check (15 questions)

1) Which shows the number thirty-four?

2) 12 is made of…

3) What comes just before 50?

4) What comes after 33?

5) A neat number is…

6) 24 and 42 are…

7) Why do we write numbers neatly?

8) In the number 56, what does the digit 5 show?

9) What comes right before 20?

10) If you count 38, 39, what comes next?

11) What do the ticks on a number line show?

12) Which digit do you usually start at the top and go down?

13) How many digits are in the number 100?

14) What is a good way to hold your pencil for neat numbers?

15) To show numbers to 100, we use…

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)

Today I will practise…

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