Tall Tales: Comparing Heights in Word Problems

Math Grades 1st Grade 5:28 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn how to solve word problems by comparing the heights of people! We'll use drawings and logical thinking to find out who is tallest, shortest, and in the middle.

Video Resource

Short and Tall - Comparison for Kids | Math for Early Learners

Kids Academy

Duration: 5:28
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Comparing heights
  • Tallest, shortest, middle
  • Using drawings to solve problems

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify the tallest, shortest, and middle person/object given comparative information.
  • Students will be able to use drawings or diagrams to solve word problems related to height comparison.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students about their own heights and who is taller or shorter in the class. Introduce the idea of comparing heights to solve problems.
  • Video Viewing (5 mins)
    Play the 'Short and Tall - Comparison for Kids | Math for Early Learners' video from Kids Academy. Encourage students to pay attention to how the teacher solves the problems.
  • Guided Practice (10 mins)
    Work through the worksheet examples in the video again as a class. Pause after each step to ensure understanding. Emphasize the process of drawing pictures to represent the information.
  • Independent Practice (10 mins)
    Provide students with similar word problems on a worksheet or whiteboard. Have them solve the problems individually, using the drawing strategy learned in the video. Provide support as needed.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the key concepts and learning objectives. Ask students to share their problem-solving strategies. Assess understanding through a quick class discussion.

Interactive Exercises

  • Height Order Game
    Divide students into small groups. Give each group a set of cards with names on them. Provide clues like 'Lily is taller than Sam, but shorter than Max.' Students must order the cards from shortest to tallest based on the clues.
  • Building Blocks Comparison
    Provide each student with building blocks. Give them instructions to build towers based on comparisons (e.g., 'Build a tower that is taller than 5 blocks but shorter than 8 blocks').

Discussion Questions

  • How can drawing a picture help you solve a word problem?
  • What does it mean for someone to be 'taller than' or 'shorter than' someone else?
  • Can you think of a time when you had to compare sizes or heights?

Skills Developed

  • Problem-solving
  • Logical reasoning
  • Visual representation
  • Comparison

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Ben is taller than Sam. Sam is taller than Leo. Who is the tallest?

Correct Answer: Ben

Question 2:

Which word means the opposite of 'tallest'?

Correct Answer: Shortest

Question 3:

If you draw a picture to help you solve a problem, what are you doing?

Correct Answer: Problem-solving

Question 4:

Mia is shorter than Jake. Jake is shorter than Lily. Who is in the middle?

Correct Answer: Jake

Question 5:

What helps us know if someone is taller?

Correct Answer: Their height

Question 6:

Alex is the tallest. Mark is shorter than Alex. Who is shorter?

Correct Answer: Mark

Question 7:

Eva is taller than Liam. Liam is the shortest. Who is taller?

Correct Answer: Eva

Question 8:

Dan is shorter than Kate. They are standing in line. Who is in front?

Correct Answer: Can't Tell

Question 9:

Sam is shorter than Pam. Pam is taller than Tom. Who is tallest?

Correct Answer: Pam

Question 10:

What is one way to help you solve a height problem?

Correct Answer: Take a nap

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The _________ person is the one who is the biggest in height.

Correct Answer: tallest

Question 2:

The opposite of tallest is __________.

Correct Answer: shortest

Question 3:

When you ________ a picture, it can help you solve a problem.

Correct Answer: draw

Question 4:

If someone is in the __________ , they are not the tallest or the shortest.

Correct Answer: middle

Question 5:

We can compare _________ to see who is tallest.

Correct Answer: heights

Question 6:

If a tree is the tallest, a flower might be the ___________.

Correct Answer: shortest

Question 7:

A _________ can help you solve a word problem.

Correct Answer: drawing

Question 8:

The _________ one is not the shortest or tallest one.

Correct Answer: middle

Question 9:

Ben is taller __________ Jack.

Correct Answer: than

Question 10:

Height compares how _________ or short you are.

Correct Answer: tall

Educational Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.1.MD.A.1:Order three objects by length; compare the lengths of two objects indirectly by using a third object. CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.A.1:Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

Teaching Materials

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