Number Line Explorers: Comparing Numbers!

Math Grades 1st Grade 1:31 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn how to use a number line to compare small numbers. Discover which numbers are greater than or less than others!

Video Resource

Comparing small numbers on the number line | Counting | Early Math | Khan Academy

Khan Academy

Duration: 1:31
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Number Line Representation
  • Greater Than
  • Less Than

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify numbers greater than a given number on a number line.
  • Students will be able to identify numbers less than a given number on a number line.
  • Students will be able to compare two numbers using a number line as a visual aid.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they know about number lines. Have they seen one before? What did they use it for? Introduce the idea that number lines help us see which numbers are bigger or smaller.
  • Video Viewing (5 mins)
    Play the Khan Academy video "Comparing small numbers on the number line." Tell students to pay attention to how the number line is used to compare numbers.
  • Discussion (5 mins)
    After the video, ask students what they learned. Review the concepts of 'greater than' (to the right on the number line) and 'less than' (to the left on the number line).
  • Practice Activity (10 mins)
    Draw a number line on the board (or use a pre-made one). Call out pairs of numbers and have students point to them on the number line. Then, ask which number is greater and which is less. For example: 'Point to 3 and 7. Which is greater?'
  • Independent Practice (10 mins)
    Provide students with a worksheet containing number lines and pairs of numbers. Have them circle the greater number in one color and the lesser number in another color.

Interactive Exercises

  • Number Line Hop
    Create a number line on the floor with tape. Call out a number, and have students hop to numbers greater or less than that number.
  • Comparing with Objects
    Use manipulatives (like blocks or counters). Give one student a certain number of objects, and another student a different number. Have them use the number line to figure out who has more or less.

Discussion Questions

  • How does the number line help us see which numbers are bigger?
  • What does it mean for a number to be 'greater than' another number?
  • What does it mean for a number to be 'less than' another number?
  • Can you think of a time when you needed to compare numbers in real life?

Skills Developed

  • Number Recognition
  • Comparison Skills
  • Number Line Usage

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which number is bigger, 5 or 2?

Correct Answer: 5

Question 2:

Which number is smaller, 8 or 4?

Correct Answer: 4

Question 3:

On a number line, which way do the numbers get bigger?

Correct Answer: To the right

Question 4:

If you have 3 cookies and your friend has 6 cookies, who has more?

Correct Answer: Your friend

Question 5:

Which of these numbers is greater than 7?

Correct Answer: 8

Question 6:

Which of these numbers is less than 4?

Correct Answer: 3

Question 7:

Which number comes first on the number line, 1 or 9?

Correct Answer: 1

Question 8:

If a number is to the RIGHT of another on the number line, is it bigger or smaller?

Correct Answer: Bigger

Question 9:

If a number is to the LEFT of another on the number line, is it bigger or smaller?

Correct Answer: Smaller

Question 10:

Which is smaller: the number of fingers on one hand, or the number of fingers on both hands?

Correct Answer: One hand

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The number line helps us see which numbers are ______ or smaller.

Correct Answer: bigger

Question 2:

Numbers to the right on the number line are ______ than numbers to the left.

Correct Answer: greater

Question 3:

Numbers to the left on the number line are ______ than numbers to the right.

Correct Answer: less

Question 4:

7 is ______ than 3.

Correct Answer: greater

Question 5:

2 is ______ than 9.

Correct Answer: less

Question 6:

If you have more cookies than your friend, you have a ______ number of cookies.

Correct Answer: greater

Question 7:

When we count, the numbers get ______.

Correct Answer: bigger

Question 8:

The number 10 is ______ than the number 5.

Correct Answer: greater

Question 9:

When a number is on the right side of another number on the number line it is _________.

Correct Answer: bigger

Question 10:

If a lollypop costs 4 dollars and candy costs 2 dollars, the candy is ______ expensive.

Correct Answer: less

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.C.5:Relate counting to addition and subtraction (e.g., by counting on 2 to add 2). CCSS.Math.Content.1.MD.C.4:Organize, represent, and interpret data with up to three categories; ask and answer questions about the total number of data points, how many in each category, and how many more or less are in one category than in another.

Teaching Materials

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