Numbers to 120: Count, Read & Write | 1st Grade Math

Grade 1 Math  ›  Numbers & Place Value  ›  Lesson 1

Grade 1 Math - Numbers and Place Value

Numbers to 120: Count, Read, Write and Represent

Learn how to count to 120, read and write numerals, find missing numbers in a counting sequence, and represent object counts with written numbers.

This first grade math lesson includes clear explanations, worked examples, independent practice, a 15-question test, and a complete answer key.

Count to 120 Read numerals Write numerals Represent numbers Grade 1 math practice

🎯 What You Will Learn

Count to 120
Continue the counting sequence from any number below 120 instead of always starting at 1.

Read and write numerals
Recognize written numbers such as 46, 99, 105, and 120 and write numerals for spoken numbers.

Find missing numbers
Use the counting sequence to fill gaps, including tricky changes such as 79 → 80 and 99 → 100.

Represent object counts
Count a group carefully and write the numeral that tells how many objects are in the group.

For parents & teachers — standards alignment: CCSS 1.NBT.A.1. This lesson develops counting to 120 from a starting number below 120, reading and writing numerals in that range, and representing object counts with written numerals.

🧠 Key Vocabulary

number — tells how many, or where something is in an order.

numeral — the written symbol used to show a number, such as 47.

count — say numbers in order while matching one number to each object.

sequence — numbers arranged in a particular order.

🔢 The Counting Sequence to 120

Counting forward means moving to the next number each time. Pay special attention at changes such as 39 → 40, 89 → 90, and 99 → 100. The counting rule stays the same: move forward by 1. The sequence does not stop at 100; it continues through 101, 102, and all the way to 120.

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Useful strategy: Start with the number you are given. Say it aloud, then say the next number, and keep moving forward one step at a time. You do not need to restart at 1.

✏️ Reading and Writing Numerals

A numeral is the written form of a number. When you see 72, you read it as “seventy-two.” When someone says “one hundred eight,” you write 108. Reading a numeral and writing a numeral are two ways of connecting spoken numbers to written symbols.

🧸 Counting Objects

When counting a group of objects, point to or touch each object exactly once. The last number you say tells how many objects are in the group. Then write that number as a numeral.

Common mistake: Do not count one object twice or skip an object. Move in an organized direction—left to right or row by row—so every object is counted exactly once.

🌟 25 Worked Examples

✏️ Try each problem yourself first. When you are ready, tap “Show solution” to check your thinking.

1 Count on from 34

Start at 34 and say the next five numbers.

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After 34 comes 35. Then keep adding 1 each time: 35, 36, 37, 38, 39. Answer: 35, 36, 37, 38, 39.

2 Count on from 57

Write the next four numbers after 57.

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The counting sequence increases by 1 each time. After 57 come 58, 59, 60, and 61. Notice that 59 is followed by 60. Answer: 58, 59, 60, 61.

3 Count on from 88

Write the next six numbers after 88.

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Count forward one number at a time: 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94. After 89 comes 90, and then the sequence continues by 1. Answer: 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94.

4 Start anywhere

Start at 103 and count forward to 109.

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Beginning at 103, say the numbers in order: 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109. Answer: 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109.

5 Reach 120

Start at 116 and count to 120.

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Continue by 1: 116, 117, 118, 119, 120. Answer: 116, 117, 118, 119, 120.

6 Find one missing number

Complete: 41, 42, □, 44, 45.

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The numbers increase by 1. The number after 42 and before 44 is 43. Answer: 43.

7 Find two missing numbers

Complete: 67, □, □, 70.

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After 67 comes 68, then 69, then 70. Answer: 68, 69.

8 Cross to the next ten

Complete: 78, 79, □, □, 82.

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After 79 comes 80. Then comes 81, followed by 82. Answer: 80, 81.

9 Cross 100

Complete: 98, 99, □, □, 102.

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The number after 99 is 100. Then comes 101 and then 102. Answer: 100, 101.

10 Past 109

Complete: 108, 109, □, 111, □.

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The number after 109 is 110. The number after 111 is 112. Answer: 110, 112.

11 Which number comes next?

What number comes immediately after 29?

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Counting forward by 1 from 29 gives 30. Answer: 30.

12 Which number comes before?

What number comes immediately before 76?

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Count back one step from 76. That number is 75. Answer: 75.

13 Between two numbers

What number is between 94 and 96?

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The counting sequence is 94, 95, 96. Answer: 95.

14 Between 109 and 111

What number is between 109 and 111?

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The sequence is 109, 110, 111. Answer: 110.

15 The last number before 120

What number comes immediately before 120?

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One less than 120 is 119, so the counting sequence ends 118, 119, 120. Answer: 119.

16 Read a numeral

Read the numeral 46 aloud.

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The numeral 46 is read forty-six.

17 Write the numeral

Write the numeral for “seventy-two.”

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“Seventy-two” is written with the digits 7 and 2: 72.

18 Read a three-digit numeral

Read the numeral 105 aloud.

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The numeral 105 is read one hundred five.

19 Write a numeral over 100

Write the numeral for “one hundred eighteen.”

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One hundred eighteen is written 118.

20 Match a spoken number to a numeral

Which numeral shows “ninety-nine”: 89, 99, or 109?

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The spoken number “ninety-nine” matches the written numeral 99. Answer: 99.

21 Count objects

Count: ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

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Touch or point to each dot once while counting: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. There are 7 objects, so the written numeral is 7.

22 Count a larger group

Count: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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Count each star exactly once. There are 12 stars. The written numeral is 12.

23 Represent a group with a numeral

A box contains 18 counters. Which numeral represents the number of counters?

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The count tells how many objects are in the group. A group of eighteen objects is represented by the numeral 18.

24 Spot the counting error

Mia says: 97, 98, 99, 101, 102. What number did she skip?

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The number immediately after 99 is 100. Mia jumped from 99 to 101, so she skipped 100.

25 Challenge: two gaps near 120

Complete: 114, □, 116, 117, □, 119, 120.

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Count forward carefully: 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120. Answer: 115 and 118.

🎮 Independent Practice — 30 Problems

1. Complete: 23, 24, □, 26.
2. Complete: 38, □, 40, □, 42.
3. Complete: 58, 59, □, 61.
4. Complete: 69, □, □, 72.
5. Complete: 88, 89, □, □, 92.
6. Complete: 97, 98, 99, □, □.
7. Complete: 104, 105, □, 107, □.
8. Complete: 108, 109, □, 111.
9. Complete: 115, □, 117, □, 119, 120.
10. Start at 83. Write the next five numbers.
11. What number comes immediately after 49?
12. What number comes immediately before 90?
13. What number is between 63 and 65?
14. What number is between 99 and 101?
15. What number comes immediately before 110?
16. Write the numeral for “thirty-seven.”
17. Write the numeral for “eighty-four.”
18. Write the numeral for “one hundred two.”
19. Read the numeral 71 aloud.
20. Read the numeral 116 aloud.
21. Count and write the numeral: ● ● ● ● ●
22. Count and write the numeral: ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲
23. Count and write the numeral: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
24. A jar has 14 buttons. Write the numeral that represents the number of buttons.
25. A tray has 20 cubes. Write the numeral that represents the number of cubes.
26. Which sequence is correct?
    A) 98, 99, 100, 101
    B) 98, 99, 101, 102
27. Which numeral is “one hundred twelve”?
    A) 102   B) 112   C) 120
28. Sam counts: 106, 107, 108, 110. Which number did he skip?
29. Start at 117 and count to 120.
30. Complete: 111, □, □, 114, □, 116.

🏆 Lesson Test — 15 Questions

1. Complete: 44, 45, □, 47.
2. Start at 68. Write the next three numbers.
3. What number comes after 99?
4. What number comes before 120?
5. Write the numeral for “ninety-three.”
6. Read the numeral 107 aloud.
7. Count: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●. Write the numeral.
8. Complete: 113, 114, □, 116, □.
9. Which sequence is correct?
   A) 118, 119, 120
   B) 118, 120, 121
10. Lena says the number after 79 is 80. Is she correct?
11. What number is between 57 and 59?
12. Complete: 96, 97, □, 99, □, 101.
13. Write the numeral for “one hundred fourteen.”
14. Start at 106 and count forward to 110.
15. Eli counts: 87, 88, 90, 91. Which number did he skip?

🔐 Complete Answer Key

🔑 Show practice answer key 🙈 Hide practice answer key

Practice Answers

1. 25

2. 39, 41

3. 60

4. 70, 71

5. 90, 91

6. 100, 101

7. 106, 108

8. 110

9. 116, 118

10. 84, 85, 86, 87, 88

11. 50

12. 89

13. 64

14. 100

15. 109

16. 37

17. 84

18. 102

19. seventy-one

20. one hundred sixteen

21. 5

22. 9

23. 11

24. 14

25. 20

26. A — 98, 99, 100, 101

27. B — 112

28. 109

29. 117, 118, 119, 120

30. 112, 113, 115

🏅 Show test answer key 🙈 Hide test answer key

Test Answers

1. 46

2. 69, 70, 71

3. 100

4. 119

5. 93

6. one hundred seven

7. 8

8. 115, 117

9. A — 118, 119, 120

10. Yes — 80 comes after 79.

11. 58

12. 98, 100

13. 114

14. 106, 107, 108, 109, 110

15. 89

💡 Common Mistakes to Watch For

Stopping at 100
Remember that the Grade 1 sequence continues to 120.

Skipping after a number ending in 9
Practice 29→30, 59→60, 89→90, 99→100, and 109→110.

Restarting at 1
If the problem says “start at 67,” begin with 67—not 1.

Counting an object twice
Use a consistent direction when counting a group.

For parents & teachers — Texas extension: Texas Grade 1 standards also emphasize reciting numbers forward and backward from a given number between 1 and 120. Once forward counting is secure, practice short backward sequences as an extension.

🖨️ Printable Companion

A free Numbers to 120 Practice Pack will be connected here as the MathLattice printable library is released. It will include a 120 chart, missing-number practice, counting-on sequences, and an answer key.

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