More, less, and equal

Students will identify sets and numbers that are more, less, or equal to each other while participating in a variety of games and activities.

A lesson plan for grade K Mathematics

By Rachel Fiscus

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

• count groups of objects to determine which group has more, less, or equal.
• create sets with more, less, or equal.
• identify numbers on the number line that are more, less, or equal by color.
• circle numbers on own laminated number line according to teacher’s directions of more, less, or equal.
• identify that numbers going to the right on the number line are more and numbers going to the left are less.
• participate and give clues to teacher and students in teacher number identification game.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

1 hour

Materials/resources

• Large number line on visible wall
• Laminated number lines 0-10 for each student
• Plastic counting chips
• 0 through 10 number flashcards
• Crayons

Pre-activities

Ability to identify numbers 0 through 10 as well as to create sets of objects 0 through 10.

Activities

1. Review the numbers 0-10 with the students.
2. Students will each receive a cup of 20 counters. They will be instructed to create sets of counters and compare the sets using 1-1 correspondence. The teacher will use the terms more, less, and equal to to compare the groups. The teacher will then say or show a number, and the students will create a group of more, less, or equal to depending on the teacher’s directions.
3. The teacher will reintroduce the large number line. Next, he/she will demonstrate and explain how directionality — right/left, next/before — helps to identify if a number is more or less. Provide several examples and then give students opportunities to identify numbers that are more or less than a given number by using the number line. When they locate the number, they will then identify the number as well as its color.
4. Students will then go to their seats where they each will be given a laminated number line. They will use crayons to circle numbers that are more and less than the number given by the teacher.
5. The students will then participate in a number identification game. The teacher will close his/her eyes and select a number from a pile. He/she will guess what the number is. The students are to respond with a yes or no. If the teacher guesses incorrectly, the students must use the words more or less to help guide the teacher to the correct answer.
6. The students will then each be given a turn to close their eyes and select a number. They will then guess the number and use the student clues to help identify the number correctly.

Assessment

Teacher observation of participation and accuracy when identifying numbers and creating sets of more, less, and equal to.