COMPARE AND ORDER
| OBJECTIVE | In comparing and ordering numbers, you want to move children from counting by rote to understanding what the numbers tell them. You no longer want the child to simply count, but to understand that 7 comes after 6, before 8, is greater than the numbers that come before it, and less than the numbers that come after it. |
| Counting up and down | Counting up is easier than counting back. As you have children count, include activities that cover both skills. You might have children try counting up and back between two numbers; such as starting at 4 and counting up to 9 and back to 4. Encourage children to choose numbers to count between and to keep a rhythm going as they do the counting. You might also want to have children hold large number cards and sit on chairs at the front of the room. As they count up, they can stand up; and as they count back, they can sit down. |
| Symbol | Meaning | Example in Symbols | Example in Words |
| > | Greater than More than Bigger than Larger than |
7 > 4 | 7 is greater than 4 7 is more than 4 7 is bigger than 4 7 is larger than 4 |
| < | Less than Fewer than Smaller than |
4 < 7 | 4 is less than 7 4 has fewer than 7 4 is smaller than 7 |
| = | Equal to Same as |
7 = 7 | 7 is equal to 7 7 is the same as 7 |
| Aim | Comparing numbers that are just before, just after, between, greater than, and less than are important skills for the children to become proficient in. |
| Materials | number cards 0 – 10 Preparation: Place the number cards on a table. |
| Prerequisite Skills and Concepts: | Children should be able to count and write numbers 0 – 10 and should be familiar with ordering numbers 0 – 10. |
| Label the children | Have children act out putting numbers in order. Give each child a number card that they can hold or that can be attached to the front of them. Make the numbers large enough to be seen from a distance. Then, starting with a given number, have them put themselves in order as their number comes up. Don't forget to try ordering the numbers backward. |
| Neighbours | Use large number cards to practice numbers that are just before, just after, and between. Begin with a number and have children with the number that is just before or just after take their places beside the number. Do a similar activity with the number that is between two given numbers. You may also do these activities by placing the cards in the chalk tray instead of having children act them out. |
| Number line | Another idea you may want to try is to make a floor number line and a large wall number line. Children can use the floor number line to stand on as they order and compare numbers, or they can use the large wall number line to place their number cards. In addition, use cubes, bean sticks, or place value blocks when you are ready to compare and order larger numbers. They help children "see" the numbers. |