Lesson plan
Comparing Groups to 20
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to write and compare numbers 11–20.
The adjustment to the whole group lesson is a modification to differentiate for children who are English learners.
Introduction
(10 minutes)
- Gather the class together for a read-aloud.
- Display Mimi's Book of Counting and ask the students how to count to 10. Have them count aloud with you.
- Read the book aloud. As you read, ask guiding questions such as: "What do you see on this page?" "How many __ __ __ __ are there?" "Can you count along with me?"
Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling
(5 minutes)- Display two groups of objects (e.g., 4 buttons and 7 bears) and ask students to think about which group has more objects. Have students turn and talk to share their ideas with a partner (e.g., which looks like more, counting each group, etc.)
- Model counting each group (using a number line for support) and identifying the number in each group, writing the numbers down on the board, and comparing each group to see which has more.
- Explain that to compare means to find out how they are different or the same--in this case, which group has more and which group has less.
Guided Practice
(5 minutes)- Tell the class that now they will get to play a game of Count and Compare with a partner.
- Go over the instructions and model how to play the game using a student as your partner:
- Count the objects in your bag. Recount the objects using the number line to double-check your work.
- Color in the circles on the worksheet to show how many objects are in your group.
- Share the number of objects in your group with a partner. Then trace the matching number on the worksheet in the same color (e.g., blue).
- Record your partner's objects by coloring in the matching number of circles in a different color. Then trace the matching number on the worksheet in the same color (e.g., yellow).
- Decide if you or your partner has more or less and fill in the bottom of the worksheet.
- Review any partnership expectations.
Independent working time
(15 minutes)- Pair students together for the activity.
- Pass out a bag of objects and a number line to each student. As students work, ask guiding questions such as, "How many objects are in your bag? How do you know for sure?" Encourage students to practice recounting each group to check for accuracy.
Differentiation
Support:
- Pass out individual number lines or hundreds charts to each group. Have students work in a small group to practice additional counting activities with more support (e.g., singinng counting songs, counting objects, playing a counting game, etc.).
Enrichment:
- Practice counting larger numbers of objects. Teach students how to idenify and use comparison symbols when comparing groups of objects.
Assessment
(5 minutes)- As students work, circulate around the room as ask guiding questions such as: "How many objects do you have? How do you know? Can you use the number line to show me?"
- Check to see if students are able to accurately count without missing numbers. Can they record the matching number of objects? Are they able to determine which group has less and which has more?
Review and closing
(5 minutes)- Review the lesson's big ideas (counting to 20, comparing objects) by playing a quick game with the students:
- Have two uneven groups of 10 or fewer students come to the front of the room (separate the groups). Count each group (with the help of the class) to determine which is less and which is more.
Related learning resources
Comparing Groups to 20
Lesson plan
Comparing Groups to 20
In this counting lesson plan, your students will practice using numbers 11 to 20 while learning about comparison.
Preschool
Math
Lesson plan
Count, Color, Trace to 20
Worksheet
Count, Color, Trace to 20
Use this worksheet to help your students practice their one-to-one correspondence counting skills.
Preschool
Math
Worksheet
Count and Compare
Worksheet
Count and Compare
In this worksheet, practice counting and comparing objects with a fun partner game!
Preschool
Math
Worksheet
Counting Blocks
Worksheet
Counting Blocks
Children practice counting up to 20 using blocks in this hands-on counting and coloring worksheet.
Preschool
Math
Worksheet
