Grade Levels: K-3

In this set of activities adaptable for grades K-3, parents and educators will find ideas for teaching about inequalities and comparing numbers. These activities are designed to complement the BrainPOP Jr. Comparing Numbers topic page, which includes a movie, quizzes, online games, printable activities, and more.

Classroom Activities for Teaching About Comparing Numbers

Class Hundred Chart
Using hundred pieces of scrap paper, index cards, sticky notes, or chalk, have your whole class create a large hundred chart on the floor. Then have a few student volunteers pick a number and stand on it. Each student should call their number out. Then give different directions, such as “Find a number that is greater than the number you are standing on” or “Find a number that is 10 less than the number you are standing on.” Take turns so every student gets to stand and move on different numbers.

Rocking Out

Have your students collect small rocks from their homes or around the schoolyard. Then have students bring in their rocks and count them. Then divide the class into small groups and have them make inequalities using their collections. Have them write their number sentences in words and using numbers and symbols. As an extension you can ask them to figure out how many more or less rocks they have than another member of their group.

Secret Number

Have partners each think of a secret number. Then have each person write down or say different clues to help the partner find the secret number. For example, one person might say “This number is less than 9, but greater than 3.” The partner can write down possible answers and then the person can give more clues to help narrow the number down. When the secret number is found, partners can switch roles.

Family and Homeschool Activities for Teaching About Comparing Numbers Family Activities

Greater Than or Less Than?

Together with your child, go through your home together and count different objects. For example, you might want to count the number of chairs in the kitchen and then count the number of chairs in another room. Then have your child say and write a number sentence comparing the number. He or she may want to draw pictures and use the greater than, less than, or equal to symbols. Then ask your child to find objects that are greater than, less than, or equal to a number. For example, you might ask your child to find a group of something that is equal to the number of chairs in the kitchen or the total number of chairs in your home. This would allow your child to practice adding skills as well as practice inequalities.

To the Letter

Connect math and spelling together. Together with your child collect a group of spelling words in a list. How many letters does each word have? Which words have more letters? Which words have fewer letters? Which words have the greatest or least number of letters? Which words have the same number of letters? Then have your child write “number” sentences using the words and the appropriate inequality symbol.