Reading and Writing Numbers 1–99 for Primary 1

Reading and Writing Numbers 1–99

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. identify and read correctly the numbers 1- 99;
2. write correctly the numbers 1- 99.

What Are Numbers?

Numbers are symbols that tell us “how many” of something there are. They help us count, measure and order things around us.

Numbers are used every day. For example, they tell us how old we are, how many fingers we have, or how many books are in a bag.

Identifying Numbers 1–99

Identifying numbers means recognising them when you see them. This helps a person know what number is being shown.

Numbers from 1 to 9 are single-digit numbers. Numbers from 10 to 99 are two-digit numbers.

It is important to recognise each number from 1 to 99. This skill helps in reading and writing numbers correctly.

Identifying Numbers 1–10

The first numbers are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Each number has a special symbol.

Observe the numbers and the objects below. The number tells how many objects there are.

After recognising numbers 1 to 10, it is important to recognise numbers up to 99.

Identifying Numbers 11–99

Numbers from 11 to 99 are made up of two digits. For example, 11 has a ‘1’ and another ‘1’. The number 25 has a ‘2’ and a ‘5’.

Look at the number chart below. It shows all the numbers from 1 to 99. Practise pointing to and identifying different numbers on the chart.

Reading Numbers 1–99

Reading numbers means saying their names correctly. Each number has a specific name.

Reading Numbers 1–20

The names of numbers from 1 to 20 are:

1. One
2. Two
3. Three
4. Four
5. Five
6. Six
7. Seven
8. Eight
9. Nine
10. Ten
11. Eleven
12. Twelve
13. Thirteen
14. Fourteen
15. Fifteen
16. Sixteen
17. Seventeen
18. Eighteen
19. Nineteen
20. Twenty

Reading Numbers 21–99

After 20, numbers are read by combining the tens part and the ones part. For example, 21 is “twenty-one”, 35 is “thirty-five”, and 99 is “ninety-nine”.

The tens numbers are:

1. 20: Twenty
2. 30: Thirty
3. 40: Forty
4. 50: Fifty
5. 60: Sixty
6. 70: Seventy
7. 80: Eighty
8. 90: Ninety

To read numbers like 21, 22, 23, and so on, combine “twenty” with “one”, “two”, “three”.

Examples of reading numbers:

1. 24 is read as “twenty-four”.
2. 37 is read as “thirty-seven”.
3. 40 is read as “forty”.
4. 52 is read as “fifty-two”.
5. 68 is read as “sixty-eight”.
6. 71 is read as “seventy-one”.
7. 83 is read as “eighty-three”.
8. 96 is read as “ninety-six”.

Writing Numbers 1–99

Writing numbers means forming the numerals correctly. Each number has a specific way it is drawn.

It is important to write numbers clearly so that others can read them easily.

Writing Numbers 1–10

Each number from 1 to 10 has a unique shape. Practise drawing each shape carefully.

The steps for writing numbers 1 to 10 are:

1. 1 (One): Draw a straight line down.
2. 2 (Two): Start at the top, make a curve to the right, then a slanted line down to the right, and a straight line across the bottom.
3. 3 (Three): Start at the top, make a curve to the middle, then another curve to the bottom.
4. 4 (Four): Draw a slanted line down, then a straight line across, then a longer straight line down through the middle.
5. 5 (Five): Draw a short straight line down, then a curve to the right, then a straight line across the top.
6. 6 (Six): Start at the top, make a curve down and to the left, then bring it around to meet itself in a loop at the bottom.
7. 7 (Seven): Draw a straight line across the top, then a slanted line down to the left.
8. 8 (Eight): Start at the top, make an ‘S’ shape, then bring the line up to meet the start, forming two loops.
9. 9 (Nine): Draw a circle at the top, then a straight line down from the right side of the circle.
10. 10 (Ten): Write ‘1’ and then ‘0’ next to it.

Observe the correct way to write numbers 1 to 10.

Writing Numbers 11–99

To write numbers from 11 to 99, combine the numerals for the tens and the ones.

For example:

1. To write “twenty-five”, first write ‘2’ for twenty, then write ‘5’ for five. The number is 25.
2. To write “forty-three”, first write ‘4’ for forty, then write ‘3’ for three. The number is 43.
3. To write “ninety-nine”, first write ‘9’ for ninety, then write ‘9’ for nine. The number is 99.

Always remember to write the tens digit first, then the ones digit.

Practice Activities

Practising helps to remember how to identify, read, and write numbers.

Activity 1: Identifying Numbers

Look at the numbers below and say their names aloud:

1. 15
2. 28
3. 30
4. 42
5. 59
6. 61
7. 77
8. 84
9. 93

Activity 2: Reading Numbers

Read the following number names and then write the numeral:

1. Seventeen
2. Thirty-two
3. Fifty
4. Sixty-six
5. Eighty-one

Activity 3: Writing Numbers

Write the numbers that come after the given numbers:

1. 19, ___
2. 34, ___
3. 50, ___
4. 76, ___
5. 98, ___