Understand the idea.
Read the month sequence
The months have a fixed order. January begins the calendar year, followed by February and March. Trace the numbered month strip from left to right across each row, then move to the next row.
Say each month as you point to it. The numbers show places in the sequence, so April is fourth and May is fifth. To find the next month, move forward one place, not a whole row.
The sequence repeats
To find the month before, move back one place. To find the month after, move forward one place. Check the month names as well as their positions so you do not skip a month.
The sequence continues into a new year. December is the final month of one calendar year, and January comes next. Reaching the end of the strip does not mean time stops.
See the method in action.
The next month
Which month follows April?
Worked solution
- 1
Find April on the strip.
The number marks April's place in the year.
- 2
Move one place forward.
Follows asks for the next month in the sequence.
- 3
Name the month.
May comes immediately after April.
May.
A new year
What month follows December?
Worked solution
- 1
Find the end of the calendar year.
December is its final month.
- 2
Continue into the next year.
The month sequence begins again after December.
- 3
Name the next month and year change.
January follows December and belongs to the next calendar year.
January of the next year.
Try it yourself.
Check your understanding
Which month comes before September?
Show answer & reasoning
August.
August comes before September. The nearby sequence is July, August, September, so moving back one place from September lands on August.
Keep practising
6 worksheet questions
Read the questions online
- Which month starts a calendar year?
- Complete: May, June, ___.
- Which month comes before March?
- Which month comes after November?
- Complete: December, ___, February.
- Order these months within one calendar year: October, April, July.
Read the worked solutions
- Which month starts a calendar year?
Read number 1.
January. - Complete: May, June, ___.
July follows June.
July. - Which month comes before March?
Move one place back from March.
February. - Which month comes after November?
Move one place forward from November.
December. - Complete: December, ___, February.
The sequence crosses into a new year.
January. - Order these months within one calendar year: October, April, July.
Their positions are 4, 7 and 10.
April, July, October.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 / SA Curriculum 2026
Year 1 sequencing familiar events and describing duration; months in order. No clock-reading assessment.
Official curriculum source ↗