Which Number Is Smaller and Which Number Is the Smallest – Comparing Lesson Plan
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Kids comparing dice numbers - By BING -
Teaching about comparative sizes in early Grades is an engaging experience and a lifetime of mathematical understanding for our little learners. However, in this lesson plan, you will learn how to teach pre-kindergartners which number is smaller and which number is the smallest among two or three numbers, using the terms "smaller" and "smallest" only.
Teaching pre-kindergartners which number is smaller and which number is the smallest is not just about numerical comparisons—it's about laying the groundwork for a love for math.
Why is finding which number is smaller or the smallest matter?
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Finding which number is smaller and which number is the smallest are essential early math skills for kids. By practicing these skills, your students will develop number sense and understand the relationship between quantities.
In this lesson plan, you will also find a video link from our mathskills4kids YouTube channel that demonstrates the concept and guides your pre-kinders and kinders through a fun and interactive activity.
enjoyable.
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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 which number is smaller and which number is the smallest among two or three numbers
- Use the terms "smaller" and "smallest" to compare numbers
- Explain why a number is smaller or the smallest
- Students can identify and differentiate between smaller and the smallest objects.
- Students will engage in hands-on activities to reinforce the concept of size.
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 from 1 to 10
- Recognizing and writing numerals from 1 to 10
- Understanding that numbers represent quantities
Materials
For this lesson, you will need:
- A whiteboard or a chart paper
- A marker
- Number cards from 1 to 10
- Small objects such as blocks, buttons, or beads
- Paper plates or bowls
- A video player and a screen
READ THE PROCEDURE
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Introduce the lesson
To introduce the lesson,
- Write "smaller" on the board or the chart paper and ask the children what it means.
- Elicit some responses and explain that smaller means having less size or quantity than something else.
- Give some examples of smaller things in the classroom, such as a pencil being smaller than a ruler or a book being smaller than a backpack.
- Then, write "smallest" on the board or the chart paper and ask the children what it means.
- Elicit some responses and explain that the smallest means having the least size or quantity among a group of things.
- Give some examples of the smallest things in the classroom, such as a button being the smallest among a set of blocks or a crayon being the smallest among a set of markers.
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Warm-up
To warm up the children's brains,
- Play a game of "I Spy" with them using the words "smaller" and "smallest." For example, you can say, "I spy with my little eye something smaller than a chair," and have the children guess what it is.
- Or you can say, "I spy with my little eye something that is the smallest in this corner," and have them look for it.
- Encourage them to use complete sentences when they answer, such as "I think it is a pencil because it is smaller than a chair" or "I think it is a bead because it is the smallest in this corner."
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Introducing the concept
To compare numbers and find which one is smaller or the smallest, show them the video from mathskills4kids.com (https://youtu.be/dYJ-EPnN8Ms). The video explains how to compare two numbers by counting their objects and finding which one has less.
It also explains how to compare three numbers by lining them up from smallest to largest and finding which one is at the beginning. The video provides some examples and questions for practice.
After watching the video, review the main points with the children and ask them questions to check their understanding. For example, you can ask:
- How do we compare two numbers to find which one is smaller?
- How do we compare three numbers to find the smallest?
- What words do we use to compare numbers?
- Can you give me an example of two numbers smaller than 10?
- Can you give me an example of three numbers smaller than 10?
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Activities and games
To reinforce the concept and practice the skill, divide the children into small groups of 3 or 4 and give each group some number cards from 1 to 10, some small objects, and some paper plates or bowls. Instruct them to do the following tasks:
- Task 1: Pick two number cards randomly and place them face up on the table. Then, use the small objects to make sets of each number on separate plates or bowls. For example, if they pick 4 and 7, they should make a set of 4 objects on one plate or bowl and a set of 7 objects on another plate or bowl. Then, compare the two sets and say which is smaller and why. For example, they should say, "4 is smaller than 7 because it has less objects".
- Task 2: Pick three number cards randomly and place them face up on the table. Then, use the small objects to make sets of each number on separate plates or bowls. For example, if they pick 3, 6, and 9, they should make a set of 3 objects on one plate or bowl, a set of 6 objects on another plate or bowl, and a set of 9 objects on another plate or bowl. Then, line up the three sets from smallest to largest and say the smallest and why. For example, they should say, "3 is the smallest among 3, 6, and 9 because it is at the beginning of the line".
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Group Sharing
To share their work and learn from each other,
- Have each group present their tasks to the class.
- Ask them to show their number cards, sets of objects, and comparisons.
- Praise their efforts and correct any mistakes.
- Ask the other groups to listen carefully and comment on their peers' work.
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Conclusion
To conclude the lesson, review the main points and ask the children to summarize what they learned. For example, you can ask:
- What did we learn today?
- How do we compare numbers and find which is smaller or the smallest?
- Why is it essential to compare numbers?
- How can we use this skill in real life?
✨ Assessment
To assess the children's learning, give them a worksheet with some questions requiring them to compare numbers and find which is smaller or the smallest. For example, you can ask them to:
- Circle the smaller number in each pair
- Write the smallest number in each group of three
- Draw a line from each number to its matching set of objects
- Color the smallest set of objects in each row
🌈 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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