Comparing Numbers in Kindergarten Math

Teaching comparing numbers to Kindergarten can be a tricky thing if you don’t get it right. Ideally, students would be working independently in a small group Kindergarten math setting while the teacher is monitoring each student individually. As most of you know, teaching Kindergarten math lessons aren’t that simple. In the following post, we’ll chat about how to implement math games for kids who are learning how to compare numbers using the symbols greater than, less than, and equal to. This Kindergarten math strategy can help you manage your math instruction or math centers in an organized way. Fun math games are a great way to encourage independent math practice. Free downloads are included throughout this blog post!

Free Kindergarten Math Worksheets

Download some free worksheets for Kindergarten Math below!

Comparing Numbers Morning Work

Comparing numbers worksheets are the perfect way to have students begin independently practicing their new math skills. I use 20 different variations of greater than and less than worksheets for my students. Before my students get started on their number activities for Kindergarten, we begin with their morning work routine. We call this time Morning Work and Me. As students get settled every morning they grab a greater than, less than, or equal to worksheet from our Morning Work and Me drawer and practice their skills.

After students complete their Morning Work and Me activity, we go over that before we begin our whole group instruction activity. Download some free comparing numbers morning work below.

Kindergarten Math Whole Group Instruction

Kindergarten math whole group instruction should take place before releasing your students to their math game stations or their math center stations. During Kindergarten math whole group instruction, I begin each lesson in my anchor chart area. Together, we go over the EQ or “Essential Question” for the day. These mini lessons lay the foundation of our learning before we break into our independent learning time. These lessons are led by me (the teacher), and students are usually sitting on the rug right next to me. Throughout this math whole group instruction time, I am modeling the strategies I wish my students to use when comparing numbers. We go over different counting activities for Kindergarten and use kinesthetic learning to help the new material stick. During our morning whole group routine, I  am also reinforcing and repeating directions. Repetition is key for learning new concepts. We use our hands, toes, fingers, arms, and legs to present different pieces throughout the lesson, and I implement the use of storytelling to activate the brain in a whole new way.

Comparing Numbers Math Games

Once our whole group math block is complete, we go over our quick guide for each game. Students use icons to remember games and how to play them. When first beginning to implement Kindergarten Math Games, it is imperative that you go over each game in great detail to ensure that the students fully understand what they need to do. Check out these comparing numbers activities and a math game quick guide below.

Grab a free math game card below.

Free Kindergarten Math Worksheets

Download some free worksheets for Kindergarten Math below!

 

Comparing Numbers Centers – Greater than/Less than Centers

Once we have gone over all the instructions for the kindergarten math games, it’s time to implement the greater than, less than, and equal to centers. Here are some of our Kindergarten Math Centers in action.

 

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Greater Than/Less Than Lesson Plans

Kindergarten math lesson plans are often overly wordy and too detailed when they don’t have to be, which can make them cumbersome and difficult to implement.

Instead, use these lesson plans to set up your kindergarten math lessons. I divide each math day into a single Sterilite box and use those boxes to organize each day and its activities.

I rarely implement all 10 games at once. That’s just too hard of a task to manage with an effective classroom management strategy. However, I do have different centers going while I’m having flexible group time with my students. Inside each box you will find my lesson plan, morning work, homework game cards, practice sheets, standards, and materials. Please note, my whole group instruction time is different from these kindergarten math lesson plans. These kindergarten lesson plan templates are for morning work, math games, math centers, and occasionally homework.

Math Organization Strategies

If you’re looking for some great ways to organize your math block, I’ve written a detailed blog post on that here.

All products I use for organizing my math centers can be found down below.

 

Free Kindergarten Math Worksheets

Download some free worksheets for Kindergarten Math below!