Beginner
40 mins
Teacher/Student led
+65 XP
Teacher-led from the board — pupils need no device

Writing the Teen Numbers: the Ten Writes First

Learn to write numbers from eleven to nineteen with the one for ten coming first. Place teen numbers on the number line just past ten and discuss why the digits go in that order.

Teacher Class Feed

Load previous activity
    Your turn
    Your teacher is running this lesson on the board. Here is the part you can try yourself.
    Number line
    Number line

    1 - Getting Started ~3 mins

    Illustration for Getting StartedLook at the board. Someone has written a number for fourteen: 41.

    What do you notice? What were they thinking?

    2 - Watch and Notice ~8 mins

    A teen number is from 11 to 19. Each one is one full ten and some more.

    We say four-teen and hear four first. But fourteen is still one ten and four extras, sitting just past 10 on the line.

    We write digits (number symbols) as 1 for the full ten first, then 4 for the extras: 14.

    41 is those digits swapped. Watch each teen on the line: the ten always writes first.

    3 - Try It Together ~8 mins

    We try teen numbers together on the line.

    Key point

    One pupil at the board sets the digit cards in order — 1 for the ten first — then drags the marker. Everyone else writes the digits big in the air: ten first, then how many more.

    We will try 12, then 15, then 17, then 19.

    Place the teen number

    4 - Write Teens in Your Copy ~5 mins

    COPYBOOK MOMENT

    In your maths copy, carefully write these teen numbers in one line. Start each with the 1 for the ten.

    • 11
    • 12
    • 14
    • 16
    • 18
    • 19

    If you finish, use the Teen Numbers Practice sheet for the other teens and the fix-the-swap pairs (such as 41 or 14).

    5 - Class Challenge ~8 mins

    We place teen numbers on the line together.

    Key point

    One pupil drags the marker. Everyone else says the number and writes the digits in the air — ten first — then we check together.

    Place thirteen, then fifteen. Next: someone wrote 41 for fourteen — place the real fourteen. Last: place the number that is a ten and seven more.

    Place the teen numbers

    Pupil practice
    Module 1 · Numbers to 20: Read, Write, Order, Compare Number
    Lesson 7 · Writing the Teen Numbers: the Ten Writes First
    123learn · Online learning platform

    Unlock the full learning experience

    You're previewing this lesson. Get full access to this lesson and hundreds more — each one ready to teach, with interactive activities, printable resources and pupil progress tracking built in.

    Hundreds of curriculum-aligned lessons
    Interactive activities in every lesson
    Printable resources & progress tracking
    Copyright Notice
    This lesson is copyright of 123Learn.ie 2017 - 2025. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.
    🍪 Our website uses cookies to make your browsing experience better. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more