EL Support Lesson
Which One Has More?
Objectives
Academic
Students will be able to compare numbers 1-10 to determine which is greater.
Language
Students will be able to identify the larger number in a pair using visual supports.
Introduction
(2 minutes)
- Gather the class together for the lesson.
- Display two groups of high-interest objects to the class (e.g., beads, buttons, etc.) and say, "Which group has more things in it?"
- Explain that today you will be learning how to compare, or find out how groups are similar or different. Tell the class that they will be figuring out which group has more and which group has less.
Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling
(5 minutes)- Model how to count the items in each of your groups. Count aloud, being sure to point to each item as it is counted and moving it aside to demonstrate how to keep track as you count. When finished counting, write the total number in the group on the board. Say, "The first group has 7 buttons. The second group has 8 buttons. Which group has more buttons?"
- Point to the number line or hundreds chart in the classroom and model how to find the number 7 and the number 8. Think aloud to decide which number is bigger.
- Repeat this process to show how to find the group with less items.
Guided Practice
(10 minutes)- Invite two groups of students to the front (separate them to show distinct groups).
- Ask, "Which group has more students?"
- Have students turn and talk to a partner to share their ideas.
- Count the groups chorally with the class to determine the total number in each group.
- Write the total number of each group on the board. Ask a student to come to the front and find the first number (group one) on the class number line. Repeat with group two.
- Ask the remaining students to give a thumbs up if they think that group one has more students. Repeat with group two.
- Have students turn and talk to a partner to share why they think their group has more.
- Review strategies for figuring out which group has more or less (e.g., using a number line, counting to check which is the larger number, recounting, etc.).
Group work time
(15 minutes)- Explain that now students will get to practice comparing groups with a partner. Display the bags and tell the class that each person will receive one bag of items. They should count their items and decide if their bag has more or less than their partners.
- Pass out bags and have students work independently.
- Ask students to share their thinking with their partner using the sentence frame, "My bag has more/less __ __ __ __. I know because __ __ __ __."
Additional EL adaptations
Beginning
- In a smaller group, practice comparing groups containing 0–5 objects.
- Review numbers in student home language (L1).
- Provide individual number lines to students.
Advanced
- Have students practice comparing groups with numbers greater than 10.
- Practice counting 11–20 aloud. Invite students to record the number of items in their group.
- Introduce students to comparison symbols and associated vocabulary.
Assessment
(3 minutes)- Assess student ability to compare groups by listening to their partner work and asking guiding questions ("Which group has more/less?" "How do you know?" "Can you show me?").
Review and closing
(5 minutes)- Gather the class together and display the How Many Toy Animals? worksheet.
- As a group, determine which group (first square of worksheet) has more.
- Pass out worksheets to students and have them complete the second comparison on their own.
- Go over the problem as a group to check for understanding (use a thumbs up/down to check progress).
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