Comparing the Number of Objects

Contributor: Monica Jones Sample NearPod Lesson

In this unit, kindergarten students will be learning how to compare the number of objects in two different groups and determine if one group is greater than, less than, or equal to. The academic vocabulary and new mathematical signs may be confusing to the students because they may have never heard these terms. Although they have had exposure to comparing objects in a group and matching items with similar items. As kindergartners, it is likely that they know the words and definitions of more or less when comparing amounts , so I will make sure they understand the meaning of the new words as well as the new signs (<, >, =). Students will have learning experiences that include group discussions, activities on the SmartBoard, working in pairs, using math manipulatives, watching YouTube videos, and learning new dances and songs. The many different activities within this unit should meet all students needs because of the diversification and will allow them to demonstrate their understanding of the comparing amounts and determining which group(s) have more or less. The concept of determining more and less or equal to is a skill that students will need, not only throughout their academic career, but also as a lifelong skill. In everyday life, these concepts are needed in determining decisions that may have to be made in both personal and business aspects of one’s life. Therefore, being able to identify whether the number of objects in groups are greater than, less than, or equal to is an important skill to master to ensure a student’s success in their careers as a student as well as a member of society.

This is the standard that I will be working on for this unit is:

TN State Standard: K.CC.C.6 Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group.

Greater Than, Less Than, Equal To

Name: Monica Jones Subject Area(s): Math Duration of Lesson: 45 minutes Grade Level: Kindergarten

Analyze learners

This kindergarten classroom at H.B. Williams Elementary School is made up of sixteen students. There are six males and ten females, that include one Hispanic student and fifteen Caucasian students. These students are all five and six-years old and are all proficient in the English language, so we do not have any EL learners currently. There are no students in the class that have IEP’s or 504’s but there are some lower level students who have been identified when creating RTI groups, and these students may need extra support during the lesson at hand. More than half of the children in this class attended daycare or preschool before enrolling in their kindergarten class, so they were already familiar with a classroom type environment. Many different math concepts have already been introduced this school year and most students have mastered counting to twenty and other mathematical concepts, based on the math assessments that have been administered. Students can recognize if there are more or less of something when looking at groups of objects, but they have just recently been introduced to the terms greater than, less than, and equal to. They have also just learned the symbols that are used when comparing amounts and numbers and what they look like and their meanings.

Technology Competencies

To complete this lesson, students will need to know how to navigate an iPad and control opening of apps and the volume settings.

State & NETS*S objectives

TN State Standard: K.CC.C.6 Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group.

ISTE Standard

Empowered Learner: Students leverage technology to take an active role in choosing, achieving, and demonstrating competency in their learning goals, informed by the learning sciences.

Behavioral Objective

Given the use of math manipulatives, iPads, and videos the learners will be able to watch videos, learn dance moves that connect to new academic vocabulary, participate in a math game as a class, and work in groups at math stations that include manipulatives in order to demonstrate their ability to identify whether the number of objects in a group are greater than, less than, and equal to objects in another group.

Language Objective:

Key vocabulary: more, less, greater than, less than, equal to, compare, symbols (<,>,=).

To express understanding of the concept, students will use the key vocabulary and symbols when participating in whole class discussions and working in groups to complete problems comparing groups of objects. The groups of students will then use their knowledge to explain how they determined which group had more using the new vocabulary words with guidance from teacher.

The vocabulary terms will be introduced at the beginning of the lesson and written on the whiteboard for the remainder of the lesson. The students will then watch a video from BrainpopJr.com and we will discuss the new vocabulary words and mathematical symbols as a whole group. The teacher will model the use of vocabulary by reading the math problems using the key vocabulary and symbols and will have the students repeat the sentences to ensure better understanding.

Select instructional methods, media, and materials

●Math Manipulatives (student centered)

●Scratch paper for student work in a group setting (student centered)

●Pencils (student centered)

Technological Materials

●Vocabulary Terms Video BrainPopJr. (2020). Comparing Numbers. [jrbrainpop.com]. Retrieved on September 2, 2020 from https://jr.brainpop.com/math/ numbersense/comparingnumbers/ (student centered)

●Video Blazer Fresh. (2019). Hollabaloo: Greater Than, Less Than, Equal To. [GoNoodle.com video]. Retrieved from GoNoodle on September 2, 2020 from https:// family.gonoodle.com/activities/hollabaloo-greater-thanless-than-equal-to (student centered)

●Video Jack Hartman Kids Music Channel. (2017). Mr. Alligator Can Chomp. [YouTube video]. Retrieved from YouTube from https://youtu.be/xGvrG6049wE

●Mobile App/Game Math Brix. (2018). Comparison Games (Greater Than, Less Than, Equal). [Price: $16.00 per year, 6 month free trial]. Retrieved on September 2, 2020 from https://www.mathbrix.com/skills/ comparison

●5 media devices (iPads) with Wi-Fi/internet connection (student centered)

●Laptop for video (teacher centered)

●ELMO to display video (teacher centered)

●ELMO pen for students to answer questions at the board (teacher and student centered)

●Pull-down display screen (teacher centered)

●Dry erase board and markers (teacher and student centered)

***Any teacher using this lesson plan should use a rubric to determine the educational value for the learner and the learning environment***

Utilize media and materials

●Preview the BrainpopJr. Video-- *previewed and approved*

●Preview the Blazer Fresh Video-- *previewed and approved*

●Preview the Jack Hartman Video-- *previewed and approved*

●Have the videos prepared on the laptop

●Check for properly working ELMO

●Check for connection of laptop and ELMO

●Have writing utensils for dry erase board

●Make sure all iPads are charged

●Have the mobile app/game prepared on the iPads

Prepare the Classroom

●Turn the lights off for the projector.

●Pull-down display screen

●Turn the projector and ELMO on

Prepare the Learner

●Introduce the lesson and vocabulary terms by referring to the video provided (BrainPopJr).

●Write the vocabulary terms and mathematical symbols for student use during the lesson.

●Present the Mobile App/Game provided (MathBrix)

●Model for students how to utilize the Mobile App/ Game and how to enter an answer.

●Complete 3 problems on MathBrix as a class and direct the students on how to enter their answers and how their scores will be kept.

●Students will divide into 5 groups at one of the 5 tables that have math manipulatives and charged iPads at each one

●Group of students will create their own math comparison problems with the manipulatives

Require learner participation

After the instruction on how to use the technology, students will be broken into 5 groups (3 groups of 4 and 2 groups of 3). The groups will then be provided with a pencil, scrap paper, math manipulatives, and an iPad. From there the students will be instructed to work with their group members to create comparison problems using the math manipulatives (teacher will model creating a problem to use as an example). The students will be asked to create three comparison problems for each group. Once they are created, students will be instructed to move to another table, remaining in their same groups, and will solve the problems as a group. The teacher will go around and check the answers for each table. Once the answers have been checked, the groups of students will return to their original tables and will log into their iPads and pull up the MathBrix app that has already been loaded onto their iPads. The group of students will then compete in a game comparing groups of objects using the symbols >,<,=. Students will take turns with the iPad and will be able to follow along as the scores and problems will be displayed on the ELMO screen. Students will be called up using equity sticks to tell the answer and how they came up with the answer. Once the game is complete, the winning team will be given a special chant by the entire class. The last portion of the lesson will be connecting the new vocabulary and mathematical symbols with music and body movements by participating in the song and dance that will be displayed on the board from Blazer Fresh. The students will be graded on their creation and ability to solve comparison problems with math manipulatives, getting 8 out of 10 problems on the app correct, and their effort to participate within their group.

If a student is showing signs that they do not understand the objective (comparing groups of objects to determine which group has more), ask one of the group members who is proficient to explain the concept to the student with additional instruction or examples of what to do. If peer tutoring does not work, provide the student with examples and instruction from the mobile app/game, the Jack Hartman video, or provide a worksheet for practice. If the student still does not understand, have the student sit with teacher during RTI for some extra practice.

Evaluate and revise

Formative assessments used in this lesson include observation of group participation while composing comparison problems using the math manipulatives, completion of solving the comparison problems, and completing the game in the MathBrix app. Students will demonstrate understanding by working together to form and answer the problems using the manipulatives and also working together to correctly answer at least 8 out of the 10 problems in the app. The formative assessments will be recorded on a group tally sheet that will be entered into the gradebook later. The students will be graded individually and as a whole group. The formative assessment will take place as the group is working together to create comparison problems, complete the 8 out of10 problems correctly on the app, and as they are presenting their answers during the game. I expect all students to participate and collaborate within their group and put forth effort in completing the problems. I will provide the students with verbal feedback during their group work and while they are playing the game with encouraging words and/or appropriate constructive criticism. If the objective is not being met by a large percentage of the class, then the lesson should be stopped and explained in a different way. If a student is not meeting the proficiency level throughout the formative assessments, then the student needs additional instruction or may need to work alone rather than with a group if he/she is not willing to participate.

Summative Assessment The summative assessment will be the combination of the group’s effort and correctness of their comparison problems, the completion of at least 8 out of the 10 practice problems correctly, and the creation of the comparison problems using the manipulatives. The students will receive a grade for their effort within their group and their completion and correctness of the problems on the Mathbrix game. The student’s work on the app will document the student’s ability to identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group (TN State Standard: K.CC.C.6) and that students leverage technology to take an active role in choosing, achieving, and demonstrating competency in their learning goals, informed by the learning sciences (ITSE Standard – Empowered Learner). It will also document the student’s ability to operate an iPad and operate a game within the MathBrix mobile app.

Media Share Resources

ABCya! Games

ABCya! Games is a mobile app that has many different games based on grade-level, subject, and content. The specific games on the app that connect well with the lesson on comparing groups of items are Number Values, Jr., Comparing Number Values and Fizz Bugs-Counting, Sorting, and Comparing, Math Man Jr., and Molly’s More or Less Quest. This would allow for the students to practice their understanding of using the new symbols they are learning, as well as being able to look at items and determine which group has more and which group has less, or if the groups have the exact same amounts. I also like the fact that ABCya offers several different games that connect with the standard, therefore students will be able to choose the one they connect with the most; for example Jr.’s Racecar or Molly the Unicorn. These games will compliment my lesson on standard, TN State Standard: K.CC.C.6 Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group.

ABCya.com LLC. (2019) ABCya! Games [Cost: Free, Premium Upgrade Available]. Retrieved from Google Play Store on September 2, 2020 from https://www.abcya.com/games/ comparing_number_values_jr

Brainpop

Brainpop.com is a great source for educators in all subjects, but I feel the games and videos offered on their website relating to inequalities for kindergarten students will be useful when teaching a lesson on comparing groups of items. I have seen Brainpop used in my kindergarten class, so I know they are already familiar with the Moby videos that are presented on the site. The page on inequalities has many resources, such as connecting to standards, lesson ideas, videos, academic vocabulary, and even help in creating assessments. This site explains how more and less can also be compared using the words/ phrases, “greater than, less than, and equal to”, as well as does a nice job of introducing the signs to young students. This website compliments the core standard: TN State Standard: K.CC.C.6 Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group.

BrainPOP. (2020). Inequalities. [brainpop.com]. Retrieved on September 2, 2020 from https://www.brainpop.com/math/algebra/inequalities/.

Education.com

The Education.com website titled More, Less, or Equal: Comparing Quantities, will be a helpful website when teaching a lesson on comparing to kindergarten students. The learning objectives listed align perfectly with the standards and outcomes that I am looking to teach and relay to the class. There are several

different worksheets and games that the website shares that I feel would keep students engaged and excited about the new concept. There are also links to online videos and games on the site, as well. The focus of the page is to help students compare objects in two different groups and use the specific academic language, “greater than, less than, and equal to” when comparing. This website compliments the core standard: TN State Standard: K.CC.C.6 Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group that I will be teaching.

Education.com. (2015). More, Less, or Equal: Comparing Quantities. [education.com]. Retrieved on September 2, 2020 from https://www.education.com/lesson-plan/more- less-or-equal/.

Hollabaloo by Blazer Fresh from GoNoodle

GoNoodle is a great resource for videos, songs, and dances to use in the classroom. This video from Hollabaloo is a catchy, upbeat song that uses hand gestures to relate to greater than, less than, and equal to academic signs. I will be introducing the new signs to the students and I feel by showing this video and allowing the kids to get up and move, while connecting hand motions to the new signs is a great way to get students ready to learn, as well as connecting the new information in their brains. This will make it easier for them to grasp the concept and almost “freeze” the ideas inside their brains. This video connects with the standard being taught, which is TN State Standard: K.CC.C.6 Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group.

Blazer Fresh. (2019). Hollabaloo: Greater Than, Less Than, Equal To. [GoNoodle.com video]. Retrieved from GoNoodle on September 2, 2020 from https:// family.gonoodle.com/activities/hollabaloo-greater-than-less-than-equal-to

Jack Hartmann: Mr. Alligator Can Chomp

Jack Hartmann’s Mr. Alligator Can Chomp would be a great addition to the lesson on comparing items in groups and determining which group is greater/less than, because Mr. Jack’s videos are used often in this kindergarten class, and the students love him. I think by using this video to introduce comparing numbers to determine which is more and which is less, this will be a great way for them to connect back to when I introduce the three signs we will be using (<, >, =). This video also uses an alligator puppet to show that he “chomps” the bigger number when he is in between two numbers. The video also connects the alligator’s mouth to an equal sign if the numbers are the same. Therefore, this source will compliment the lesson and will connect well to the standard I will be teaching, TN State Standard: K.CC.C.6 Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group.

Jack Hartman Kids Music Channel. (2017). Mr. Alligator Can Chomp. [YouTube video]. Retrieved from YouTube from https://youtu.be/xGvrG6049wE

Math BRIX

Math BRIX is an adaptive learning platform that is available to teachers or students that has games that connect to Common Core Standards. This platform can be purchased and the interactive games can be displayed on a SmartBoard inside the classroom. I feel that the Comparison Games on the platform will be a great tool to help students strengthen their comprehension of different amounts in different groups, as well as practice of using the signs and symbols. This platform and the games within will connect well with the standard of the lesson, TN State Standard: K.CC.C.6 Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group.

Math Brix. (2018). Comparison Games (Greater Than, Less Than, Equal). [Price: $16.00 per year, 6 month free trial]. Retrieved on September 2, 2020 from https://www.mathbrix.com/skills/comparison