Math lesson plan · 1st grade (Year 2 in England) · 30 minutes
Compare two-digit numbers with <, > and =
Number sense
CCSS 1.NBT.B.3England: Y1 Number and place valueEngland: Y2 Number and place value
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Compare two-digit numbers with <, > and =.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Compare two-digit numbers
Leads to: the next skill in this area.
Materials: Place value chart, Base-ten blocks or a number line, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 4 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Compare two-digit numbers). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Choose the sign that makes this true: 43 __ 34 (< / > / =) → >Prompt: Compare the tens first.
- Choose the sign that makes this true: 98 __ 89 (< / > / =) → >Prompt: Compare the tens first.
- Choose the sign that makes this true: 73 __ 73 (< / > / =) → =Prompt: Compare the tens first.
Hook · 3 min
- Show a number in the news or a price tag and ask what each digit is worth.
- Share the objective: Compare two-digit numbers with <, > and =. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 7 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Choose the sign: 31 __ 46
- Step 1: 31 < 46
- Answer: <
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 6 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Choose the sign: 77 __ 38 (< / > / =) → >Prompt: Compare the tens first.
- Choose the sign: 6 tens and 0 ones __ 65 (< / > / =) → <Prompt: First write the tens and ones as a number.
You do: independent practice · 7 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 3 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Choose the sign: 3 tens and 4 ones __ 34 (< / > / =) → =Prompt: First write the tens and ones as a number.
- True or false? 32 > 23 (True / False) → TruePrompt: Both numbers use the same digits. Which has more tens?
Watch out for
- Reading 1,045 as one thousand four hundred five: point to each place and say its value.
- Thinking a longer number is always bigger, even with decimals (0.45 vs 0.5).
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Compare two-digit numbers.
- Use concrete materials: place value chart.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/math/grade-1.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder