Greater or Less

Overview

Grade: 1st Grade
Subject: Mathematics
Duration: 41 minutes
Class Size: 18 students
Curriculum: Alberta, Canada Curriculum
Specific Curriculum Area: Number Sense, understanding of numbers up to 120

Objectives

1. Students will develop an understanding of comparing numbers using 'greater than', 'less than', and 'equal to'.
2. Students will practice using hands-on activities to compare numbers between 1 and 120.
3. Students will apply their knowledge to complete a worksheet independently.

Materials Needed

• Sets of number cards (1 to 120) for each pair of students
• Popsicle sticks (for comparisons, as "greater than" and "less than" symbols)
• Laminated 'alligator mouths' or 'crocodile mouths' symbols (>, <)
• A large number line displayed in the classroom
• Whiteboard and markers
• Individual student worksheets for closure activity

Lesson Outline

Introduction (5 minutes)

• Begin with a brief discussion about numbers and their different sizes.
• Introduce the concept of comparing numbers using "greater than," "less than," and "equal to."
• Use two popsicle sticks to form the shapes of the greater than (>) and less than (<) symbols, explaining how the wider part 'eats' the bigger number.

Direct Instruction (10 minutes)

• Demonstrate with the large number line in the classroom:
  • Pick two numbers, like 25 and 67, and physically show their positions on the number line.
  • Illustrate with the 'alligator mouth' symbol facing the larger number, emphasizing the concept with a short story: "The alligator always wants to eat the bigger meal!"
• Engage students by asking, "Who can tell me which number the alligator would eat between 43 and 76?"

Guided Practice (10 minutes)

• Pair up the students and distribute the number cards.
• Instruct students to lay out their number cards randomly and draw two cards.
• Students use popsicle sticks to form the correct symbol (>, <, or =) between the numbers they've drawn.
• Walk around to provide guidance and feedback, ensuring that each pair is correctly forming comparisons.

Interactive Activity (10 minutes)

• Gather students and explain the interactive group activity:
  • Create a fun number comparison game where students are divided into two teams.
  • Each team draws a number card.
  • The team that correctly uses the alligator symbol to show the relationship between the two numbers gets a point.
• Continue the game until each student has had a chance to participate.

Closing/Worksheet Activity (6 minutes)

• Hand out a worksheet where students must independently compare pairs of numbers between 1 and 120 using 'greater than', 'less than', and 'equal to'.
• The worksheet should have both visual (number line references) and written sections for number comparison.

Conclusion (2 minutes)

• Review the day's lesson by asking students some reflective questions, such as:
  • “What did you learn about comparing numbers today?”
  • “Why does the alligator like to pick the bigger number?”
• Encourage them to explain to a partner why their comparing activity was correct.

Assessment

• Informal observation during guided practice and group activities to assess understanding.
• Review student worksheets to evaluate their ability to compare numbers independently.

Extensions

• For students who grasp the concept quickly, introduce basic addition or subtraction between the numbers and have them re-evaluate the greater than or less than relationship.
• Encourage students to create their own number stories with comparisons as a creative homework task.

This lesson plan is designed to align with the Alberta, Canada Curriculum standards for first graders, fostering number sense and the ability to compare numbers up to 120 in an engaging and memorable way.