Home School Lesson Plan: Ordering and Comparing Numbers

Learning how to put numbers in order and compare them in less than and great than guidelines is an important math skill. Creating a home school lesson plan about this concept can be fun and easy.

Home school Lesson Plan - Concepts

The concept of number value is learned in preschool or before when children learn to count. They know that the number three equals three things. They can even begin to understand that two things are less than three things. Introducing the greater than and less than symbols, those sideways arrows set between numbers is part of this lesson plan. This home school lesson plan must start with a basic knowledge of numbers and what they are worth. Using math manipulatives is a great way to teach this.

Home school Lesson Plan - Ordering Numbers

In this home school lesson plan, introduce the concept of a number line to your student. A number line should cover numerals from zero through ten at least. Demonstrate how larger numbers are further right on the line and smaller ones are to the left.

For practice, have your homeschool student write down a collection of numbers in order from least to greatest. Also practice writing numbers from greatest to least. Include groups of numbers that are both consecutive and non-consecutive.

Home school Lesson Plan - Comparing Numbers

Begin comparing numbers with math manipulatives. Using any small tokens or counting blocks, make models of two different numbers. Your child should be able to determine which is greater than the other. If your student is having trouble with the concept of greater than and less than, use items rather than numbers at first. For example, the home school lesson plan can include sorting toys from biggest to smallest, or pieces of string from shortest to longest.

The greater than and less than symbols are easy to remember. This lesson plan can include the clue that the narrow part of the angle goes near the smaller number. A fun way to teach this in the home school lesson plan is to compare the symbol to an alligator's mouth. The alligator always wants to eat the larger number. Practice comparing different numbers using the number line and mentally.

Comparing and ordering numbers is an important math concept that every chid should know. Creating a homeschool lesson plan about this topic is simple. Including both work with math manipulatives and worksheets will give your student a firm knowledge of both ordering and comparing numbers.