Hungry Alligator: Learning Greater Than, Less Than, and Equal To!

Math Grades 1st Grade 7:49 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn about greater than, less than, and equal to with a hungry alligator! This lesson uses a fun alligator analogy to help 1st graders understand these important math concepts.

Video Resource

Learn Grade 1 - Maths - Learn Greater, Iess and Equal to Symbol

KidsClassroom - Nursery Rhymes & Kids Songs

Duration: 7:49
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Key Concepts

  • Greater Than (>)
  • Less Than (<)
  • Equal To (=)

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify and use the greater than (>) symbol.
  • Students will be able to identify and use the less than (<) symbol.
  • Students will be able to identify and use the equal to (=) symbol.
  • Students will be able to compare two numbers and determine if one is greater than, less than, or equal to the other.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students if they've ever seen an alligator. Discuss what alligators eat and how they have big mouths. Introduce the idea that the alligator in this lesson loves to eat numbers, and it always wants to eat the bigger number!
  • Video Viewing (5 mins)
    Play the YouTube video: 'Learn Grade 1 - Maths - Learn Greater, Iess and Equal to Symbol'. Encourage students to pay attention to how the alligator helps them remember the symbols.
  • Symbol Review (5 mins)
    After the video, review each symbol. Use hand gestures to mimic the alligator's mouth opening towards the greater number. Write examples on the board, such as 5 > 3, 2 < 7, and 4 = 4. Emphasize that the alligator always eats the bigger number!
  • Guided Practice (10 mins)
    Present simple number comparisons on the board or using manipulatives (e.g., blocks, counters). For example: 6 ___ 2, 1 ___ 9, 3 ___ 3. Have students verbally tell you which symbol goes in the blank and why. Encourage them to explain their reasoning using the alligator analogy (e.g., 'The alligator wants to eat the 6, so it's greater than 2').
  • Independent Practice (10 mins)
    Provide a worksheet with number comparisons where students must fill in the correct symbol (> , <, or =). Provide a visual aid, such as a picture of an alligator, on their desks as a reminder.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Recap the lesson by asking students to summarize what they learned about greater than, less than, and equal to. Ask for volunteers to share their strategies for remembering the symbols.

Interactive Exercises

  • Alligator Number Line
    Create a number line on the floor. Have students stand on different numbers and use their arms to create the >,< or = sign in the correct direction.
  • Manipulative Comparison
    Provide students with manipulatives (counters, blocks). Give them two groups of manipulatives and have them compare the groups using the correct symbol on a small whiteboard.

Discussion Questions

  • How does the alligator help you remember which way the greater than and less than signs go?
  • Can you think of real-life situations where you might need to compare numbers (e.g., comparing the number of toys you have vs. a friend)?
  • What happens when the numbers are the same? Which symbol do we use?

Skills Developed

  • Number Comparison
  • Symbol Recognition
  • Logical Reasoning

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which sign means 'greater than'?

Correct Answer: >

Question 2:

Which sign means 'less than'?

Correct Answer: <

Question 3:

Which sign means 'equal to'?

Correct Answer: =

Question 4:

The alligator wants to eat the ______ number.

Correct Answer: bigger

Question 5:

Which is true? 5 ___ 2

Correct Answer: 5 > 2

Question 6:

Which is true? 3 ___ 7

Correct Answer: 3 < 7

Question 7:

Which is true? 4 ___ 4

Correct Answer: 4 = 4

Question 8:

What does the alligator eat in 8 > 3?

Correct Answer: 8

Question 9:

What does the alligator eat in 2 < 9?

Correct Answer: 9

Question 10:

What sign goes in the blank? 10 ___ 5

Correct Answer: >

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The alligator's mouth is open to the ______ number.

Correct Answer: bigger

Question 2:

The sign > means ______ than.

Correct Answer: greater

Question 3:

The sign < means ______ than.

Correct Answer: less

Question 4:

The sign = means ______ to.

Correct Answer: equal

Question 5:

7 is ______ than 2 (>, <, or =)

Correct Answer: >

Question 6:

1 is ______ than 5 (>, <, or =)

Correct Answer: <

Question 7:

9 is ______ than 9 (>, <, or =)

Correct Answer: =

Question 8:

If the numbers are the same, we use the ______ sign.

Correct Answer: equal

Question 9:

The alligator is always ______.

Correct Answer: hungry

Question 10:

4 _____ 6 (Fill in the blank with <, >, or =)

Correct Answer: <

Educational Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.1.NBT.B.3:Compare two two-digit numbers based on meanings of the tens and ones digits, recording the results of comparisons with the symbols >, =, and <. CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.D.7:Understand the meaning of the equal sign, and determine if equations involving addition and subtraction are true or false. For example, which of the following equations are true and which are false? 6 = 6, 7 = 8 - 1, 5 + 2 = 2 + 5, 4 + 1 = 5 + 2.

Teaching Materials

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