X Tables
Scratchjr Maths

ScratchJr race stories maths mission

A practical mini-mission using race stories to practise ordinal numbers through questions, examples and child-friendly challenges.

Quick answer

Ordinal numbers tell us the order of things – like first, second, third, and so on. In ScratchJr race stories, you can use ordinal numbers to describe how runners finish a race.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to use ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.) to describe the order of things in a race or story, and understand how to place objects in order using numbers. Success signs:
  • You can say which place someone finished in a race
  • You can put objects in order from first to last
  • You can use ordinal numbers in a story or game
  • You can understand that ordinal numbers show position, not how many

Why this matters

Ordinal numbers are used everywhere in everyday life – like when you finish a race, get a birthday present, or play a board game. In ScratchJr, you can make your own race stories and use ordinal numbers to tell the story of who came first, second, third, and so on. This helps you understand how to order things and how to describe position in a sequence.

How it works

Ordinal numbers show the position of something in a list or a race. They go:
  1. First
  2. Second
  3. Third
  4. Fourth
  5. Fifth
  6. Sixth
  7. Seventh
  8. Eighth
  9. Ninth
  10. Tenth
  11. Eleventh
  12. Twelfth
You can use ordinal numbers to describe where someone or something is in a race or line. For example, if you are in a race and finish after three other runners, you are in fourth place.

Examples you can see

Imagine a race with 5 runners. Here’s how you can describe who came first, second, third, fourth, and fifth.
Position Runner Ordinal Number
1st Amy First
2nd Ben Second
3rd Carla Third
4th David Fourth
5th Ella Fifth
You can also draw a race track and place your characters in order. In ScratchJr, you can use the move and repeat blocks to make your characters move in order, showing who finishes first, second, third, etc.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: Race Story Mission You are a race storyteller in ScratchJr! Your mission is to create a race story with 5 runners and describe who finishes in first, second, third, fourth, and fifth place.
  1. Open ScratchJr and create a new project
  2. Draw 5 runners or use the character library
  3. Make a race track using the drawing tools
  4. Use the move block to make each runner move forward one step at a time
  5. When a runner finishes, use a say block to say “I am first!” or “I am third!”
  6. Try to tell the story of who came in which place
This is a fun way to practice ordinal numbers and tell a story using ScratchJr.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that ordinal numbers are the same as counting numbers. Why it happens: Children mix up counting (1, 2, 3) with order (first, second, third). Fix: Practice with real-life examples like lining up toys and saying who is first, second, etc.
  • Mistake: Confusing “fourth” with “four”. Why it happens: Children hear the word “four” and think it means the number four, not the position. Fix: Use ordinal numbers in sentences like “The fourth runner finished the race.”
  • Mistake: Forgetting to add “th” to ordinal numbers after third. Why it happens: The pattern isn’t always clear to young learners. Fix: Practice saying the ordinal numbers aloud and write them down to see the pattern.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:
  • Playing a simple race game at home and asking them to describe who came first, second, third, etc.
  • Using ordinal numbers in daily life – like “first, second, third” when getting ready for school.
  • Reading stories that include ordinal numbers and pointing out how they are used.
  • Practising with ScratchJr by making a simple race story together.
  • Encouraging your child to explain their thinking – like “Why do you think that runner came first?”
Remember, it's okay if your child makes mistakes – they are learning! Use these moments to help them understand, not to correct them harshly.

Practice questions

  1. What ordinal number comes after “third”? Answer: Fourth
  2. If there are 7 runners in a race, who finishes in sixth place? Answer: The sixth runner
  3. Which ordinal number is used for the last place in a race with 5 runners? Answer: Fifth
  4. Fill in the blank: “The _____ runner finished the race.” Answer: Last or Fifth
  5. How many runners are in a race if the last one finishes in tenth place? Answer: Ten runners

FAQ

What are ordinal numbers?

Ordinal numbers tell us the order or position of something, like first, second, third, and so on.

How do ordinal numbers help in ScratchJr?

In ScratchJr, you can use ordinal numbers to tell the story of a race or to show the order of events in a story.

Why are ordinal numbers important?

Ordinal numbers help us understand position, like who is first in line, who came second in a race, or what day of the week it is.

Can ordinal numbers be used in everyday life?

Yes! You use ordinal numbers when you say “I’m first in line,” “Today is the third of the month,” or “I finished second in the game.”

How can I help my child learn ordinal numbers?

You can practice by playing games, reading books, and using everyday moments to talk about order and position.