I.

II.

Title/Topic and Grade Level:

Comparing Two Digit Numbers, Grade 1
Lesson Essential Question:
How do we compare numbers using the Greater Than (>), Less Than (<), and Equal To
(=) symbols?

III.

Standard:
Grade 1 Understand Place Value CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.NBT.B.3

IV.

Objectives and Assessments:

Learning Objectives
SWBAT compare number values and properly
read and write .the comparisons using >,<,
and = symbols.

V.

VI.

Assessments
TWBAT assess students acquired knowledge
by observing them as they play the hungry
alligator game.

Materials:
Dry Erase Boards
Dry Erase markers
Assorted two digit flash cards
Green alligator sock puppets
Zip lock bags
Pre- Lesson assignments and/or prior knowledge:
The students will be given a worksheet with to review and reinforce their knowledge of
tens and ones represented in two digit numbers. The teacher will then introduce the
Greater Than (>), Less Than (<) and Equal To (=) symbols using the Smart Board. The
teacher will then place a green alligator sock puppet over his or her hand and say, This is
the hungry alligator and it only wants to eat the biggest or greatest numbers! The
teacher will then compare the alligators open mouth to the Greater Than (>) and Less
Than (<) symbols. The teacher will then close the alligators mouth and compare it to the
Equal To (=) symbol. The teacher will then write 2 two-digit numbers well spaced apart
from left to right on the Smart Board. (ex. 78
75) The teacher will then ask a student
which number is the biggest or greatest and why? The teacher will review that 78 is the
biggest or greatest because even though they both have 7 tens, 78 has 8 ones which is
bigger than the 5 ones in 75. The teacher will then say Since the Hungry Alligator only
eats the biggest or greatest numbers then it will eat the 78. And hold the alligator sock
puppet with its mouth open toward the 78 as if to eat it. The teacher will then hold the
alligators open mouth near the Greater than sign and point out the likeness. The teacher
will then put the alligator mouth back facing the number 78 and then write the > sign in
its place (ex. 78 > 75). The teacher will then say Since we read from left to right, this
example reads, 78 is greater than 75. The teacher will then reverse the numbers on the
1

Smart Board (ex 75 78) and ask the class Which number will the Hungry Alligator
eat? The teacher will then hold the alligators open mouth toward the 78 as if to eat it
and write the Less Than (<) symbol in its place (ex. 75 < 78). The teacher will then
say, Since we read from left to right, this example reads 75 is less than 78. The teacher
will then erase the 78 and write 75 in its place (ex. 75 75). The teacher will then ask, If
the Hungry alligator only eats the biggest or greatest number, which number will it
eat? Since both numbers are the same or equal, the teacher will explain that the alligator
will not eat either number and close its mouth. The Teacher will hold the closed alligator
mouth up to the Equal To symbol on the Smart Board and then in between both 75s and
write the equal sign on the Smart Board (ex. 75 = 75). The teacher will then say Since
we read from left to right, this example read, 75 is equal to 75.
VII.

VIII.

IX.

X.

Lesson Beginning:
We will hook the kids into this lesson by telling them that they will all get to be Hungry
Alligators.
Instructional Plan:
1. Students will be put in groups of three. There will be six groups in total
2. Each student will have his or her own dry erase board and dry erase marker.
3. Each group will have a zip lock bag with 10 random two-digit flash cards and an
alligator sock puppet.
4. One student will start using the sock puppet, another student will select two flash
cards to compare and the third student will write out the comparison made by the
Hungry Alligator of the two numbers, using the correct symbol, and read it to the
group.
5. The students will repeat step #4 five times until all the cards are used and switch
roles.
6. The lesson is complete once all students have had a chance to be the Hungry
Alligator, card selector and comparison reader\writer.
Conclusion:
Students will share one of the five comparisons from their dry erase board and explain
why the alligator did or did not eat a number. They will explain this using their
knowledge that the two digits of two digit numbers represent amounts of tens and ones.
Citations:
Grade1Number&OperationsinBaseTenUnderstandplacevalue.3.(n.d.).
RetrievedApril24,2016,fromhttp://www.corestandards.org/Math/Content/1/NBT/B/3/
Grade1Number&OperationsinBaseTenUnderstandplacevalue.3.(n.d.).
RetrievedApril24,2016,fromhttp://www.corestandards.org/Math/Content/1/NBT/B/3/