Ordering Numbers Numeracy Assessment: Year 1 supports your students in building strong number sense by assessing their ability to compare, sequence and position numbers to at least 120. With a focus on place value and number order, this flexible assessment invites students to demonstrate their understanding of how numbers relate to one another in size and position on a number line.

This resource is ideal for both formative and summative assessment and can be used during whole-class instruction, in small group rotations or as part of an intervention strategy. It’s also a valuable checkpoint to use before parent-teacher interviews or report writing. A detailed and editable Australian Curriculum-aligned teacher rubric is included to support consistent observation and assessment across students. An answer sheet is provided to support fast, accurate marking and feedback.

Ordering Numbers Numeracy Assessment: Year 1 presents students with several tasks designed to capture their ability to work with number order. Students are asked to identify the smallest and largest numbers within a group of mixed numerals, sequence a set from smallest to largest (and vice versa), and correctly position numbers on a number line. These tasks are scaffolded to develop number comparison, ordering fluency and spatial number awareness.

The final activity extends students' thinking by asking them to place a new number onto an existing number line and explain their reasoning. This invites rich mathematical discussion and gives insight into student understanding of place value relationships. Throughout the assessment, students are encouraged to use comparative language such as “comes before,” “is greater than,” or “is between,” building their confidence in using number-related vocabulary.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Identify the smallest and largest numbers in a set
• ✅ Sequence numbers in ascending and descending order
• ✅ Position numbers correctly on a number line
• ✅ Use place value and comparison to justify number positions
• ✅ Build mathematical language to describe number order

What’s Included:

• Student assessment worksheet with a range of ordering and comparison tasks
• Editable Australian Curriculum-aligned teacher rubric
• Answer sheet for efficient and consistent marking

Materials Needed:

• Printed assessment worksheet
• Pencils or markers
• Mini whiteboards or laminated number strips (optional for warm-up)
• Class number line or number cards (optional for modelling)

How to Use:

• Introduce number order using a visual number line and number cards in a warm-up session.
• Review comparative vocabulary (e.g. smallest, greatest, between) with the class before beginning.
• Guide students through the first task by modelling how to find the smallest and largest number in a set.
• Allow students to work independently to order groups of numbers from smallest to largest and vice versa.
• Support students in positioning numbers accurately on a number line and explaining their placements.
• Use the rubric to observe and assess their reasoning and confidence with place value and number position.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use during a place value or sequencing unit as a formative check-in
• 💡 Implement in small group stations for teacher-assisted observation
• 💡 Add to learning portfolios as evidence of student understanding of number order
• 💡 Use during parent-teacher meetings to showcase growth in numeracy skills
• 💡 Apply during assessment week for summative data collection

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Use number lines and number cards as hands-on tools for learners who benefit from visual cues
• 💛 Encourage students to explain their number choices aloud to strengthen verbal reasoning
• 💛 Model ordering strategies using real-world contexts (e.g. lining up objects by size or quantity)
• 💛 Create Your Own Number Line: Invite students to choose and place five numbers on a blank number line, then explain their placements
• 💛 Mixed Challenges: Extend capable students with a mix of two- and three-digit numbers to compare, order and position
• 💛 Revisit the assessment later in the term to track student progress and number confidence

Ordering Numbers Numeracy Assessment: Year 1 is a valuable and easy-to-use resource for assessing students’ number sequencing, comparison and reasoning skills. It helps build foundational number sense while offering clear data to guide your planning and reporting.