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How to Write the Date in Numbers

Writing the date in numbers is a skill learned by elementary-aged students, typically in second or third grade. Kids apply counting techniques by correlating the 12 months of the year to a numerical order and use slashes to separate the month, day and year. Teachers can reinforce the method by having a designated student write the date on the front board and explain how he or she calculated the date. Children can practice and utilize the numeric date by writing it on the top of their homework and classwork.

Things You'll Need

  • Pencil
  • Paper
  • Calendar
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Instructions

    • 1

      Create a three-column chart. Write a heading at the top of the first column that says "Month Names." Write a vertical list of the months in order, starting with January because this is the start of each new year. Your list should read: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.

    • 2

      Label the heading of your second column as "Month Numbers" to represent the numeric order of each month. Write numbers 1 through 12 next to the corresponding months, starting with a 1 next to January and ending with a 12 next to December.

    • 3

      Write "Number of Days," as the heading of your third column. Write "30" next to April, June, September and November. Write "31" next to January, March, May, July, August, October and December. Write "28 or 29" next to February to account for a leap year every four years.

    • 4

      Refer to your chart and a classroom calendar to write the date in numbers. Write the number of the month, followed by a diagonal back slash (/) or horizontal dash (-).

    • 5

      Look at the calendar to figure out which day it is and at your chart to find how many days are in each month so you know whether or not it's time to switch month numbers. Write the day, followed by the same symbol you used after writing the month number.

    • 6

      Write the last two digits of the year. Examples of numeric dates include 5/7/11 to represent May 7, 2011 or 12-1-12 to show December 1, 2012.

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