Which Group Has Fewer? Comparing Numbers Lesson Plan
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Kids comparing dice numbers - By BING -
Teaching young learners to compare quantities is a foundational step toward numerical fluency. This lesson plan is designed to cultivate the essential skill of identifying 'Which Group Has Fewer?' and make learning enjoyable using a video from Mathskills4kids YouTube Channel.
This lesson plan will give you an immersive experience through numbers comparison with kids. From a fluid introduction to engaging activities, they will manipulate objects, quantities and build their vocabulary skill with the comparing word ‘fewer.’
What is the importance of following this lesson plan?
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The 'Which group has fewer?' lesson plan is a useful way to introduce the concept of comparison and subtraction to young learners. By using concrete objects and visual aids, the lesson helps students develop their number sense and problem-solving skills.
The lesson also encourages students to use mathematical language and explain their reasoning. Following the lesson plan can help teachers scaffold the learning process and assess the students' understanding of the topic.
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Grade Level: Pre-K | Kindergarten
Duration: 20 - 30 minutes
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Identify the term 'fewer' and use it to compare two groups of objects.
- Find which group has fewer items by counting or visually comparing them.
- Sort and count objects into two groups and compare them using the term 'fewer.'
- Develop the ability to compare quantities and identify 'which group has fewer.'
- Strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills through interactive activities.
This lesson plan is flexible and adaptable to different classroom settings and situations. You can adjust the duration, difficulty, and number of activities according to your students' needs and interests. You can also use different materials and resources that are available to you.
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Previous knowledge
Before starting this lesson, pre-kindergartners should have some prior knowledge of:
- Counting up to 10 objects.
- Sorting objects by different attributes, such as color, shape, or size.
Materials
For this lesson, you will need:
- A video link to mathskills4kids.com's video on finding which group has fewer (https://youtu.be/JKPmGSar8mw/).
- A large poster or chart paper with the word 'fewer' written on it.
- Two baskets or containers labeled 'A' and 'B'.
- A variety of small objects that can be sorted by different attributes, such as buttons, beads, blocks, or stickers. You will need enough objects for each student to have at least 10.
READ THE PROCEDURE
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Warm-up
To find which group has fewer, use the video link from mathskills4kids.com on finding which group has fewer (https://youtu.be/JKPmGSar8mw/). Pause the video at different points and ask questions such as:
- What does 'fewer' mean?
- How can we find which group has fewer items?
- Can you point to the group with fewer items in this picture?
- How many items are in each group?
After watching the video, point to the poster or chart paper with the word 'fewer' written on it and ask the students to repeat the word after you. Explain that 'fewer' is a word we use to compare two groups of objects and find which one has less.
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Introducing the concept
To reinforce the concept of finding which group has fewer, use the two baskets or containers labeled 'A' and 'B' and some of the small objects. Place a different number of objects in each basket and ask the students to look at them. Ask questions such as:
- How many objects are in basket A?
- How many objects are in basket B?
- Which basket has fewer objects?
- How do you know?
Repeat this process with different numbers of objects in each basket, making sure to vary the difference between them. For example, sometimes you can have one object less in one basket, sometimes two or three objects less, and sometimes a large difference. Encourage the students to use the word 'fewer' in their answers and explain their reasoning. For example, they can say:
- Basket A has fewer objects because it has 3, and basket B has 5.
- Basket B has fewer objects because I can see that it has less than basket A.
- Basket A has fewer objects because I counted 4 in basket A and 7 in basket B.
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Activities and games
To practice the skill of finding which group has fewer?
- Divide the students into pairs and give each pair a set of 10 objects.
- Ask them to sort their objects by any attribute they choose, such as color, shape, or size.
- Then, ask them to split their sorted objects into two groups and place them in front of them. For example, they can sort their objects by color and then make one group of blue and the other of red.
Next, ask each pair to look at their two groups of objects and find which one has fewer. Ask them to use the word 'fewer' in their answer and explain their reasoning. For example, they can say:
- We sorted our objects by color and made one group of blue objects and one group of red objects. The blue group has fewer objects because it has 3, and the red group has 6.
- We sorted our objects by shape and made one group of circles and one group of squares. The circle group has fewer objects because I can see that it has less than the square group.
As the students work, walk around the room and monitor their progress. Provide feedback and guidance as needed. For example, you can:
- Praise their sorting and counting skills.
- Remind them to use the word 'fewer' in their answers.
- Ask them to check their answers by counting or visually comparing their groups.
- Challenge them to make different groups with different numbers of objects and compare them.
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Group Sharing
To wrap up the activity, ask each pair to share their work with the class. Ask them to show their two groups of objects and tell which one has fewer. Ask them to use the word 'fewer' in their answer and explain their reasoning. For example, they can say:
- We sorted our objects by size and made one group of big objects and one group of small objects. The small group has fewer objects because it has 2, and the big group has 8.
- We sorted our objects by type, and we made one group of buttons and one group of stickers. The button group has fewer objects because I counted 5 in the button group and 7 in the sticker group.
As the pairs share, encourage the rest of the class to listen and comment on their work. For example, you can:
- Ask the class to repeat the word 'fewer' after each pair.
- Ask the class to agree or disagree with each pair's answer and explain why.
- Ask the class to give a thumbs up to each good pair's reasoning.
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Conclusion
To conclude the lesson, review the main points with the class. Ask questions such as:
- What did we learn today?
- What does 'fewer' mean?
- How can we find which group has fewer items?
- Why is it essential to compare numbers?
Reinforce the key concepts and vocabulary by pointing to the poster or chart paper with the word 'fewer' written on it and asking the students to repeat it after you. Congratulate them on their work and tell them they did a great job of finding which group has fewer.
✨ Assessment
To assess the students' understanding of the lesson, you can use one or more of the following methods:
- Observe their participation and performance during the warm-up, introduction, activity, and group sharing.
- Collect their work from the activity and check their answers and explanations.
Please give them a worksheet or a quiz with pictures of two groups of objects and ask them to find which one has fewer and write or draw their answer.
🌈 Have fun teaching and learning about comparing numbers! Remember, you're doing an amazing job, teachers! 🎉 For more math videos and resources, visit our website at https://mathskills4kids.com/. 🌟
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