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1st Grade Inequalities Resources

20 1st grade inequalities resources: 10 worksheets, 7 activities, 2 Common Core Lessons and more. How teachers use these

1st Grade Inequalities Resources

20 1st grade inequalities resources: 10 worksheets, 7 activities, 2 Common Core Lessons and more. How teachers use these

Worksheet
Worksheet1st GradeLess Than Greater Than Worksheet

This first grade Less Than Greater Than Worksheet has students write <, >, or = to compare pairs of numbers, with a friendly alligator pointing the way. Answer key included for quick, no-prep number-sense practice.

Worksheet
Worksheet1st GradeLess Than, Equal to, Or Greater Than Worksheet

This Less Than, Equal To, or Greater Than Worksheet gives 1st graders ten pairs of two-digit numbers to compare using . Includes a complete answer key—perfect for no-prep number sense practice.

Worksheet
Worksheet1st GradeComparing Numbers Subtraction Worksheet

This comparing numbers subtraction worksheet has 1st graders count two groups of pictures, write each number, and subtract to find how many more. Answer key included for fast, no-prep practice.

Worksheet
Worksheet1st GradeLess Than, Greater Than, or Equal To Worksheet

This Less Than, Greater Than, or Equal To Worksheet gives 1st grade students ten comparison items, from counted dot groups to two-digit numbers, with an answer key included so practice is quick to check.

Worksheet
Worksheet1st GradeComparing Two Digit Numbers Worksheet

The Comparing Two Digit Numbers Worksheet gives 1st grade students practice using the less than, equal to, and greater than symbols to compare numbers and build number sense. A complete answer key is included.

Activity
Activity1st GradeMore Fewer Activity

Using More Fewer Activity, studentscompare sets of more and less and feed your hippo to build their number sense skills.

Worksheet
Worksheet1st GradeGreater Less and In Between Worksheet

A Greater Less and In Between Worksheet for 1st grade, with eight inequality chains where students write the one number that fits between the bounds. An answer key is included, ready for morning work or a math center.

Worksheet
Worksheet1st GradeIs the Number Greater Lesser or Equal Worksheet

Compare two-digit numbers with the Is the Number Greater Lesser or Equal Worksheet. First graders write the right symbol in eight problems and answer two story problems, with an answer key that makes checking quick.

Worksheet
Worksheet1st GradeTens More or Less Worksheet

This Tens More or Less Worksheet asks 1st grade students to write the correct symbol between eight number pairs, then put three numbers in order. An answer key is included, so children can check their own comparing.

Activity
Activity1st GradeTake Me Out to the Ballgame Inequalities Activity

Using this Take Me Out to the Ballgame Inequalities Activity, students compare two sets of dots by using inequality symbols to build comparison skills.

Worksheet
Worksheet1st GradeOne Less One Greater Worksheet

Use this One Less One Greater Worksheet to help 1st grade students find the numbers that come just before and just after, up to 120. An answer key is included for quick, confident checking.

Worksheet
Worksheet1st GradeTwo Digit Numbers More or Less Worksheet

This two digit numbers more or less worksheet asks 1st grade students to mark ten number pairs with a sign and order three sets from largest to smallest, and it comes with an answer key.

Activity
Activity1st GradeComparing and Ordering Numbers 1-10 Activity

This comparing and ordering numbers 1-10 activity has kindergarten and 1st grade children sort lion number cards under less than, equal to and greater than suns. Answer key included.

Common Core Lesson
Common Core Lesson1st Grade1.NBT.3 First Grade Common Core Lesson

In this 1.NBT.3 First Grade Common Core Lesson, students will compare numbers using symbols (, or =) and words like greater than, less than, or equal to.

Activity
Activity1st GradeGreater Than Less Than Dolphin Activity

This greater than less than dolphin activity has 1st and 2nd grade kids sort two-digit number cards around 50 and practice the comparison signs. Answer key included.

Common Core Lesson
Common Core Lesson1st Grade1.OA.7 First Grade Common Core Lesson

In this 1.OA.7 First Grade Common Core Lesson, students will decide given equations are true or false to understand the meaning of the equal sign.

Activity
Activity1st GradeSt. Patrick's Day Inequalities Activity

This St. Patrick's Day inequalities activity has 1st and 2nd grade students sort rainbow number cards around 50 and write greater than and less than signs. Answer key included.

Activity
Activity1st GradeBecome a Superhero by Comparing Numbers Activity

Using this Become a Superhero by Comparing Numbers Activity, students compare two three-digit numbers based on meanings of the hundreds, tens, and ones digits, using >, =, and < symbols.

Activity
Activity1st GradeFishing for Numbers Addition Inequalities Activity

UsingFishing for Numbers Addition Inequalities Activity, students sort sums into categories based on if it is greater than, less than, or equal to 6.

From our teachers' playbook

The alligator eats the bigger number!

What do 1st graders learn about comparing numbers?

First graders learn to compare two-digit numbers using what they know about tens and ones. They look at the tens first: 42 > 38 because 4 tens is more than 3 tens. If the tens match, they compare the ones. Kids use the symbols > (greater than), < (less than) and = (equal to), and learn that an equal sign means "the same as," not "the answer is." The click moment is when a child explains, "The tens tell me which is bigger!"

Our favorite ways to teach greater than and less than

Comparing numbers clicks with songs, real objects and a lot of talking. Here's what we do.

Sing the symbols

Play a greater than, less than song and have kids make the symbol with their arms. The open side always faces the bigger number. Music plus movement makes the symbols stick.

Why it works: a catchy, repeating tune gives the brain a hook to hang words on, so sung text is remembered better (Wallace, 1994).

Greater Than Less Than Inequalities SongTry it withGreater Than Less Than Inequalities SongSongsOpen it →

More or fewer with counters

Give partners two piles of counters. They line them up side by side and say which pile has more or fewer. Seeing the extra counters makes "greater than" real before kids ever use a symbol.

Why it works: the U.S. Department of Education's guide for teaching elementary math recommends moving from hands-on objects to drawings to numbers.

More Fewer ActivityTry it withMore Fewer ActivityActivitiesOpen it →

Tens first, then ones

Write 56 and 63 and think aloud: "First I look at the tens. 5 tens and 6 tens. 6 tens is more, so 63 is greater." Then try 47 and 45, where the tens match and the ones decide.

Why it works: handing over the work step by step, from teacher to student, is one of the most widely used teaching frameworks (Pearson and Gallagher, 1983).

Comparing Two Digit Numbers WorksheetTry it withComparing Two Digit Numbers WorksheetWorksheetsOpen it →

Questions teachers and parents ask about 1st grade inequalities

How do you teach greater than and less than to 1st graders?

Start with real objects so kids see which group has more. Then compare numbers by looking at the tens first, then the ones. Add the symbols last, once the idea is clear.

What's a trick for remembering the symbols?

Many teachers use a hungry alligator whose mouth opens toward the bigger number. Another tip: the small pointed end points to the smaller number.

What does the equal sign mean?

It means both sides are the same amount. Kids should see examples like 5 = 3 + 2 and 4 + 1 = 5 so they don't think the equal sign always means "the answer comes next."

How can I practice comparing numbers at home?

Play a card game: each player flips two cards to make a two-digit number, and the bigger number wins. Saying "greater than" or "less than" out loud each round builds the language.