Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Sports Day Race: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 1
- ForYear 1
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Sports Day Race is a free printable maths worksheet for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6). Children read a short race story and fill each gap, using ordinal numbers from first to fifth to describe where each racer finished. Page 2 gives the grown up notes, help for children who find it hard and a stretch idea.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children read a short story about a sports day race with animal runners. As they read, they fill each gap with the right position word, using ordinal numbers from first to fifth. The sheet has lines for writing, so children practise careful reading and neat writing as well as maths. The first time through, read the story aloud together and talk about who is where in the race before anyone picks up a pencil.
Why teach position with a race?
Ordinal numbers describe position in an order. Cardinal numbers, such as 1, 2 and 3, tell us how many. In Year 1, children learn that first, second and third are about place, not amount. A runner who finishes second has not got two of anything. This is a small idea, but it matters, because position words are used in races, queues, lines and instructions every day.
Sports day is a good setting because children already know what a race feels like. They have stood in a line, watched friends cross a finish line and heard grown ups say who came where. Linking a familiar event to new words helps the words stick. Reading a story and filling gaps also means children must read closely, so the maths and the reading support each other.
Ordinal number facts
- Ordinal numbers tell us the order of things, such as first or fourth.
- Cardinal numbers tell us how many. Ordinal numbers tell us which one.
- Ordinal numbers can be written in a short way, like 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th.
- If a group is put in a different order, the position of each one can change.
Skills and curriculum link
- Ordinal numbers
- Position words
- Careful reading
- Writing words and numbers
- Talking about order
Ideas for talking about position
- How many or which oneAsk whether a number tells how many or which one. Compare a bag of three apples with the third apple in a row.
- Where to startPosition depends on where the line starts. Point to the start and always count from there.
- Say it, then write itSay the position word aloud, then write it. Children can link a word such as fourth with its short form, 4th.
- Same group, new orderMove one toy and ask who changed place. This shows that position can change while the group stays the same.
Key words
- Ordinal numberA number that tells us position, such as first, second or third.
- PositionWhere someone or something is in a line or an order.
- OrderThe way things are arranged one after another.
- FirstThe one at the front of the order.
- LastThe one at the very end of the order.
- Finish lineThe line that racers cross at the end of a race.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes for you.
- Read the story aloud together. Ask your child to picture the race and say who they think is where.
- Fill each gap one at a time. Talk about each choice and ask, "How do you know?"
- Check against the notes on page 2. Praise careful thinking, not only correct answers.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Act out a real race with soft toys. Line up a small group, then move them and say each position out loud. Point to the start of the line and count from there. Fill in the gaps one at a time, and come back to the rest later.
To stretch confident children
Write 1st to 5th beside each animal. Then change the story so a different animal wins and write the new positions. Ask your child to explain who moved up and who moved down. Try saying each position word aloud as you write it.
Make it a game
Line up toys and ask who is fourth. Take turns to be the questioner and ask for different positions. Then swap two toys and ask again, so children hear how the answers change. Mark a start and finish line with string or tape.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child answers with a counting number, such as "two", where a position word is needed.
Try thisAsk "which one?" rather than "how many?". Practise with a row of toys: "Point to the second toy."
Watch forA child counts the runners from the wrong end of the line.
Try thisCheck which way the race is going and which end is the front. Point to the front and count from there.
Watch forA child mixes up similar words, such as fourth and fifth.
Try thisLine up five objects. Touch each one and say the words in order from first to fifth, then try again more slowly.
Talk about it
- What is the difference between "three" and "third"?
- Where do you stand when you line up at school? Are you near the front or the back?
- If two runners swap places, who is now in front?
- Can you think of another time we use words like first and second?
- How could you explain fourth to a younger child?
- Which position word is the hardest to say or write, and why?
Take it off the page
Soft toy race
Line up soft toys as racers. Move them around and ask your child to say each position. Take turns to be the commentator.
Shoe line
Line up five shoes by the door. Ask which is first, which is third and which is last. Then change the order and ask again.
Queue spotting
Next time you are in a queue or on a walk, use position words. Who is first in line? Who is behind the person in front?
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first read and let them lead. Short bursts work well. If they get stuck, act out the race with toys and ask which one rather than how many.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, a plenary or an early finisher task after teaching position words. Page 2 has help and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups. It needs no preparation beyond printing.
Home educators
Pair the sheet with outdoor play, such as a real race in the garden or park. Talk about positions as you go. The sheet is free to print again for brothers, sisters or a later review.
Where this fits in maths
Before this, children count objects, learn the order of numbers and use simple position words such as in front of and behind. They need to be happy saying numbers in order and talking about where things are.
After this, children use ordinal words beyond fifth and link position to number order. They meet ordinal words again in days, dates and sequencing. This sheet sits within the number strand of the Key Stage 1 maths curriculum in England.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Sports Day Race for?
It is written for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6), in Key Stage 1. It can also help older children who need extra practice with position words, or younger children who are ready to try with a grown up.
- What will children practise?
Children practise ordinal numbers from first to fifth to describe position. They also read a short story carefully and write on lines, so the sheet supports reading and writing as well as maths.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or a later review, and black and white printing works well.
- How long does it take?
There is no set time, because it depends on the child. Read the story together first, then let your child work at their own pace. Stop when attention drops and come back another day.
- What if it feels too hard?
Act out a real race with soft toys. Line them up, move them and say each position aloud. Then return to the sheet and fill in one gap at a time, with a grown up beside your child.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 has support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It is a screen free printable that needs only paper and a pencil. It works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays, and for home educators as part of a wider plan.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.