Before, After, or In the Middle

Purpose

To practice number order by identifying number before, number after, or in the middle of a given number.

Overview

Give children practice with ordering numbers by playing this simple game. Choose a number from 1 to 12. Then call out “before _____,” “after _____,” or “____ is in the middle.” Call on volunteers to tell the number that comes before the given number, the number that comes after the given number, or in the case of in the middle the numbers that come before and after. You may wish to challenge children to give the numbers and check the answers.

About the sequence

Part 1 begins with identifying number before or number after with numbers 1 to 12. Part 2 incorporates is in the middle where children need to identify the numbers that come before and after. The extension moves to incorporate numbers to 50 with a specific focus on crossing decades.

Part 1

I’ll call out “before ____” or “after _____” using numbers between 1 and 12 and you say the number that comes before or after.

Examples:

Before 5 (4)
After 8 (9)
Before 10 (9)
After 11 (12)
Before 1 (0)
After 4 (5)
After 7 (8)

While children are enjoying their building of mastery, feel free to repeat. When children are eager for more, try Part 2.

Part 2

I’ll call out “____ is in the middle of” using numbers between 1 and 12 and you say the number that comes before and after.

Examples:

8 is in the middle of… (7, 9)
5 is in the middle of… (4, 6)
7 is in the middle of… (6, 8)
10 is in the middle of… (9, 11)
3 is in the middle of… (2, 4)
12 is in the middle of… (11, 13)

As always, when children seem excited for a new challenge, move on.

Extension

I’ll call out “before____, after ____, ____ is in the middle of” using numbers between 1 and 50 and you say the number that comes before, after, or before and after.

Examples:

Before 25 (24)
After 12 (13)
19 is in the middle of… (18, 20)
40 is in the middle of… (39, 41)
Before 30 (29)
After 19 (20)
39 is in the middle of… (38, 40)
After 9 (10)
Before 20 (19)
50 is in the middle of… (49, 51)

Before 40 (39)