What does it mean to identify a number?
Identifying a number means looking at a written numeral, recognizing its shape, and knowing its number name. A numeral is a symbol used to show a number, such as 4 or 17. In this lesson, you will learn to recognize the numerals from 0 through 20.
Numbers can tell how many objects are in a group. The numeral 3 can stand for three crayons, three blocks, or three toy cars. The objects may look different, but the number is still three.
Look at the numeral, say its name, and then look at the group it represents.
The numeral is 3. Its name is three. The picture shows three objects.
A number name is the word you say. A numeral is the symbol you see or write. For example, seven is a number name, and 7 is its numeral.
Recognizing the numerals from 0 to 10
Learn to recognize each numeral and say its name. The numerals from 0 to 10 are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.
Zero means none. Numerals from 1 through 9 each use one digit. The numeral 10 uses two digits: 1 and 0.
Read the number chart from left to right. Say each number name as you point to the numeral.
| Numeral | Number name | How many? |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Zero | No objects |
| 1 | One | ● |
| 2 | Two | ● ● |
| 3 | Three | ● ● ● |
| 4 | Four | ● ● ● ● |
| 5 | Five | ● ● ● ● ● |
| 6 | Six | ● ● ● ● ● ● |
| 7 | Seven | ● ● ● ● ● ● ● |
| 8 | Eight | ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● |
| 9 | Nine | ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● |
| 10 | Ten | ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● |
Point to 6 and say “six.” Point to 9 and say “nine.” Point to 10 and say “ten.”
Some numerals may look alike at first. Look carefully at each numeral's shape. Say its name aloud, and practice finding it in different places, such as on a calendar or a page in a book.
Understanding zero
Zero is the number that means none. The numeral for zero is 0. If a group has no objects, there are zero objects in the group.
The box is empty. There are zero objects in it.
Zero is a number even when there is nothing to count. Do not leave the answer blank when a group has no objects; use the numeral 0.
Recognizing the numerals from 11 to 20
The numerals from 11 through 20 are 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20. Each numeral in this group uses two digits.
In the numerals from 11 through 19, the first digit is 1. The second digit changes as the numbers increase. The numeral 20 has a 2 followed by a 0.
Read each numeral and say its number name.
Find 14 and say “fourteen.” Then find 18 and say “eighteen.” Find 20 and say “twenty.”
Some number names sound similar, especially fourteen and forty, or sixteen and sixty. In this lesson, focus on the number names from 11 through 20 and match each name to the correct numeral.
Noticing the digits in two-digit numbers
A digit is one of the symbols from 0 to 9. A two-digit numeral has a digit in the first place and a digit in the second place. For example, 14 is made from the digits 1 and 4, and 20 is made from the digits 2 and 0.
When you identify a two-digit number, look at both digits together. The numeral 12 is twelve, not one or two.
The numeral 14 contains two digits: 1 and 4. Together, they make the number fourteen.
Do not read a two-digit numeral as two separate number names. When you see 16, say “sixteen,” not “one, six.”
Putting numbers in counting order
Counting order is the order numbers follow when you count: 0, 1, 2, 3, and so on through 20. Each number after 0 is one more than the number before it.
Knowing the counting sequence can help you identify a numeral. If you know the numbers around it, you can use them as clues.
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| Eight | Nine | Ten | Eleven | Twelve |
Ten comes after nine and before eleven. When you count forward, the number after 10 is 11.
Counting in order can help you remember a number, but always look at the numeral itself. Practice recognizing numbers in mixed-up order, too.
Matching a numeral to a group of objects
A numeral can represent how many objects are in a group. To check a match, count each object once and compare the total with the numeral. The numeral and the number of objects should agree.
The numeral is 5. The group has five stars, so the numeral and the group match.
Objects can be arranged in a line, a circle, or a scattered group. Their arrangement does not change how many there are. Count carefully to check the match.
Using a careful routine to identify numbers
Use the same routine each time you identify a number: look, name, check, and practice.
- Look: Notice the shape of the numeral.
- Name: Say the number name aloud.
- Check: If objects are shown, count them and see whether the total matches.
- Practice: Find the numeral again in a different order.
You see the numeral 17 on a card.
- Look at both digits: 1 and 7.
- Say the number name: “seventeen.”
- Find 17 on a number chart from 0 to 20.
- Point to it and say “seventeen” one more time.
If you are unsure, compare the numeral with a number chart and say the number names aloud. Take your time. Careful practice helps you recognize numerals more quickly.
Notes for teachers
This resource is designed to provide clear explanations, examples, and practice for learners of different needs and levels of support. It may be used for whole-class instruction, guided practice, independent learning, review, homework, or additional reinforcement at home.