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Lesson Plan

Comparing Numbers: Marshmallow Math

Comparing numbers is sweet with this yummy lesson. Students use cereal as a hands on manipulative to compare numbers 0–10. A sweet treat remains for a job well done!
Need extra help for EL students? Try the Hungry Gator Counting pre-lesson.
Grade:
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Need extra help for EL students? Try the Hungry Gator Counting pre-lesson.

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to compare two numbers between 0 and 10 using greater than, less than, or equal to.

Introduction

(5 minutes)
  • At your group meeting area, choose two students for a demonstration.
  • Give each student a paper plate and some marshmallows, or other manipulative, making sure they do not get the same amount.
  • Ask students who has more or less marshmallows and how they know.

Beginning

  • Share definitions of greater than and less than in student home language (L1) using relevant examples.
  • Have students (as a whole group) point to the plate they believe has less marshmallows.

Intermediate

  • Provide the sentence frame "I think __ ___ ___ ______ __ ___ ___ ______ has less/more because___ ___ ___ ______ __ ___ ___ _______."