Comparing Numbers with Base Ten Blocks!

Math Grades 1st Grade 8:37 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's learn how to compare numbers using base ten blocks! We'll use longs (tens) and cubes (ones) to see which number is bigger, smaller, or equal.

Video Resource

Base Ten Blocks - Comparing Numbers | Math for 1st Grade | Kids Academy

Kids Academy

Duration: 8:37
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Place Value (Tens and Ones)
  • Base Ten Blocks (Longs and Cubes)
  • Comparing Numbers (>, <, =)

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify the value of longs (tens) and cubes (ones).
  • Students will be able to represent two-digit numbers using base ten blocks.
  • Students will be able to compare two two-digit numbers using base ten blocks and comparison symbols (>, <, =).

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they already know about numbers and place value. Introduce the terms 'long' and 'cube' to represent tens and ones, respectively. Show examples of base ten blocks and their corresponding values.
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Play the 'Base Ten Blocks - Comparing Numbers' video from Kids Academy. Instruct students to pay attention to how the video uses base ten blocks to represent numbers and compare them.
  • Guided Practice (10 mins)
    Work through a few examples together as a class. Present two sets of base ten blocks on the board (or using physical manipulatives). Guide students to count the longs (tens) and cubes (ones) in each set. Model how to write the numbers represented by the blocks. Finally, demonstrate how to use the comparison symbols (>, <, =) to show which number is greater, less than, or equal.
  • Independent Practice (10 mins)
    Provide students with a worksheet containing various sets of base ten blocks. Instruct them to write the numbers represented by each set and use the correct comparison symbol to compare them. Circulate the room to provide assistance and answer questions.
  • Wrap-up (3 mins)
    Review the key concepts of the lesson. Ask students to share what they learned about comparing numbers using base ten blocks. Collect the worksheets for assessment.

Interactive Exercises

  • Base Ten Block Challenge
    Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a set of base ten blocks and a number card (e.g., 34, 52, 27). Challenge them to represent the number on the card using the base ten blocks. Then, have groups compare their numbers using the comparison symbols.

Discussion Questions

  • What is the value of a long?
  • What is the value of a cube?
  • How can base ten blocks help us compare numbers?
  • What do the symbols >, <, and = mean?

Skills Developed

  • Place Value Understanding
  • Number Sense
  • Comparing Numbers
  • Problem Solving

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What is a 'long' worth?

Correct Answer: 10

Question 2:

What is a 'cube' worth?

Correct Answer: 1

Question 3:

Which symbol means 'greater than'?

Correct Answer: >

Question 4:

Which number is bigger: 25 or 32?

Correct Answer: 32

Question 5:

If you have 3 longs and 4 cubes, what number do you have?

Correct Answer: 34

Question 6:

Which symbol means 'less than'?

Correct Answer: <

Question 7:

Which symbol means 'equal to'?

Correct Answer: =

Question 8:

If you have 1 long and 7 cubes, what number do you have?

Correct Answer: 17

Question 9:

Which is greater 42 or 45?

Correct Answer: 45

Question 10:

Which is less 56 or 51?

Correct Answer: 51

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

A long is worth _____.

Correct Answer: 10

Question 2:

A cube is worth _____.

Correct Answer: 1

Question 3:

The symbol > means _____ than.

Correct Answer: greater

Question 4:

The symbol < means _____ than.

Correct Answer: less

Question 5:

The symbol = means _____ to.

Correct Answer: equal

Question 6:

2 longs is worth _____.

Correct Answer: 20

Question 7:

5 longs is worth _____.

Correct Answer: 50

Question 8:

7 cubes is worth _____.

Correct Answer: 7

Question 9:

3 longs and 2 cubes is _____.

Correct Answer: 32

Question 10:

4 longs and 9 cubes is _____.

Correct Answer: 49

Educational Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.1.NBT.B.2:Understand that the two digits of a two-digit number represent amounts of tens and ones. 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.6:Add and subtract within 20, demonstrating fluency for addition and subtraction within 10. Use strategies such as counting on; making ten (e.g., 8 + 6 = 8 + 2 + 4 = 10 + 4 = 14); decomposing a number leading to a ten (e.g., 13 - 4 = 13 - 3 - 1 = 10 - 1 = 9); using the relationship between addition and subtraction (e.g., knowing that 8 + 4 = 12, one knows 12 - 8 = 4); and creating equivalent but easier or known sums (e.g., adding 6 + 7 by creating the known equivalent 6 + 6 + 1 = 12 + 1 = 13).

Teaching Materials

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