Numbers 1 to 20 Lesson Plan

This lesson plan helps beginner students learn numbers 1 to 20 in English through songs, games, and speaking activities. Students will review numbers 1 to 10 and learn numbers 11 to 20. All the materials needed for this lesson are included below, including flashcards, PowerPoints, and worksheets.

Warm-Up Activity: Numbers Song

Before learning numbers 11 to 20, students should first review numbers 1 to 10. I find that with young learners, it’s best to do this with a fun numbers song. This song by Oxford University Press works really well for reviewing numbers 1 to 10 and helping students feel confident before introducing the new target language. Play the song and ask students to sing along. As they do, encourage students to dance and count with their fingers as they sing.

Introduce Numbers 11 to 20

Next, it’s time to introduce numbers 11 to 20. Using this Numbers 1 to 20 PowerPoint, say each number in order and ask students to repeat after you several times. Once students are comfortable repeating the numbers as a class, ask individual students to try saying each number on their own.

After students have practiced enough, review the numbers again by asking simple questions such as “What number comes after 14?” or “What number comes before 19?” This helps check understanding before moving on to the next activity.

Play the “What Number Is Missing?” Game

The same PowerPoint from the previous activity includes a ready-made “What’s Missing?” game that you can use for this next activity. Alternatively, you can play the game using number flashcards or by simply writing the numbers on the board.

To play, give students five seconds to look at and try to remember all the numbers. Then, tell students to close their eyes. While students are not looking, remove one of the numbers and then tell everyone to open their eyes. Students must then shout out which number is missing as quickly as they can.

This activity works well because it encourages students to recall the new numbers they have just learned while also reinforcing the correct order of numbers 11-20.

Activity 2: Number Race

This next activity is a simple race game that students can play in pairs or small teams. First, give each pair or team a set of these Numbers 1 to 20 Flashcards. You can print and cut out the flashcards before class, or ask students to do it during class if you have time.

Next, ask students to place all the number cards face down on the desk and mix them up. When the teacher shouts “Go!”, students should work with their partner or team to quickly turn over all the cards and place them in the correct order from 1 to 20. The first team to finish wins.

I find that with this activity, it can be quite difficult to spot which team finishes first, especially in larger classes. One technique I use is to tell students that once they finish, they must clap twice as a team and then put their hands on their heads. This makes it much easier to see which team was the fastest and helps prevent students arguing about who finished first.

Complete a Numbers Worksheet

Next, it’s time to reinforce what students have learned with this numbers worksheet. On the worksheet, students will see the words for numbers 11 to 20 with the letters jumbled up. Students should first unscramble each word, then draw a line to the correct number, and finally write the correct spelling of the number in the space provided. More Numbers Worksheets Here.

If this is your students’ first time learning numbers 11 to 20, it can be helpful to write the numbers out in words on the board before they begin so students can compare their answers as they work. While students are completing this worksheet, it’s a good opportunity to check students’ understanding and identify anyone who may need a little extra support.

Review Activity: Put the Numbers in Order

The final part of the lesson is to review what students have learned. A simple way to do this is to use the number flashcards from earlier in the lesson and ask students to help you place them on the board in the correct order.

Start by placing the number 1 flashcard on the board and ask students what number comes next. Then place that number on the board and continue like this until all the numbers from 1 to 20 are displayed. Finally, ask students to count all the numbers together one more time as a class.

Additional Numbers Resources

Looking for more ways to teach numbers in English? Here are some additional worksheets, games, and lesson resources you can use in class.

• Classroom Games to Teach Numbers
• Numbers and Counting Worksheets
• Number Tracing Worksheets
• Numbers as Words Worksheets