Race to Compare: Comparing 2-Digit Numbers!

Math Grades 1st Grade 3:57 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn to compare 2-digit numbers using greater than, less than, and equal to symbols with a fun race car theme! This lesson helps you understand place value and build strong number sense.

Video Resource

Comparing Numbers: 2-Digit Numbers | Math for 1st Grade | Kids Academy

Kids Academy

Duration: 3:57
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Place Value (Tens and Ones)
  • Comparing Numbers
  • Greater Than, Less Than, and Equal To Symbols (>, <, =)

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to compare two-digit numbers using place value.
  • Students will be able to correctly use the greater than (>), less than (<), and equal to (=) symbols.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by reviewing the concept of place value (tens and ones) using base-10 blocks or drawings. Ask students to represent different 2-digit numbers using these manipulatives.
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Watch the 'Comparing Numbers: 2-Digit Numbers' video from Kids Academy. Encourage students to pay attention to how the video uses race cars and place value to compare numbers. Pause the video at key points to ask questions and check for understanding.
  • Guided Practice (10 mins)
    As a class, work through several examples of comparing 2-digit numbers. Use the race car analogy from the video. For instance, write two numbers on the board (e.g., 32 and 51). Ask, 'Which race car would win? Which number is bigger?' Guide students to identify the tens place first and then the ones place if the tens are the same. Model the correct use of the >, <, and = symbols.
  • Independent Practice (10 mins)
    Provide students with a worksheet containing various pairs of 2-digit numbers. Have them compare the numbers and write the correct symbol (>, <, or =) between them. Circulate to provide assistance as needed.
  • Wrap-up (3 mins)
    Review the key concepts of the lesson. Ask students to explain in their own words how to compare 2-digit numbers and how to use the symbols correctly.

Interactive Exercises

  • Number Line Race
    Create a number line from 1 to 100 on the floor. Divide students into teams and call out two numbers. The teams race to stand on the numbers, and then must determine which number is greater/less than and state the symbol needed. The first team to do so correctly wins a point.
  • Comparing Cards
    Prepare cards with 2-digit numbers written on them. Have students work in pairs. Each student draws a card, and they must compare their numbers using the correct symbol. They explain their reasoning to their partner.

Discussion Questions

  • How does knowing place value help us compare numbers?
  • When you compare two numbers, where should you start looking at the digits?
  • Can you give an example of when you might need to compare numbers in real life?

Skills Developed

  • Comparing Numbers
  • Place Value Understanding
  • Critical Thinking
  • Symbol Recognition (> < =)

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which number is bigger: 45 or 23?

Correct Answer: 45

Question 2:

What does the > symbol mean?

Correct Answer: Greater than

Question 3:

Which symbol goes between 12 and 12?

Correct Answer: =

Question 4:

Which number has more tens: 67 or 32?

Correct Answer: 67

Question 5:

What does the < symbol mean?

Correct Answer: Less than

Question 6:

Which number is smaller: 89 or 98?

Correct Answer: 89

Question 7:

Which symbol goes between 56 and 71?

Correct Answer: <

Question 8:

If you have 2 tens and 8 ones, what number is it?

Correct Answer: 28

Question 9:

Which number is equal to 3 tens and 5 ones?

Correct Answer: 35

Question 10:

What is the first thing you should look at to compare two-digit numbers?

Correct Answer: Tens place

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The > symbol means ________ than.

Correct Answer: greater

Question 2:

The < symbol means ________ than.

Correct Answer: less

Question 3:

The = symbol means ________ to.

Correct Answer: equal

Question 4:

To compare numbers, first look at the ________ place.

Correct Answer: tens

Question 5:

45 is ________ than 32.

Correct Answer: greater

Question 6:

17 is ________ than 21.

Correct Answer: less

Question 7:

66 is ________ to 66.

Correct Answer: equal

Question 8:

If a number has 5 tens, it is bigger than a number with only ________ tens.

Correct Answer: 4

Question 9:

In the number 72, the 7 is in the ________ place.

Correct Answer: tens

Question 10:

In the number 39, the 9 is in the ________ place.

Correct Answer: ones

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.NBT.B.2:Understand that the two digits of a two-digit number represent amounts of tens and ones.

Teaching Materials

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