Big Ideas:
Looking at a 3 digit number in expanded form helps decide which has a greater value.
The value of a digit is determined by its place within a number.
Numbers can be compared according to their values (< means "less than", > means "greater than", = means "equal to").
This lesson builds on students' work with base 10 and comparing numbers. Students play a game selecting a 3-digit number in expanded form and compare that number with a partner’s. Students identify the larger number, explain how they know and record their comparisons on a game worksheet. The mathematical concepts taught in this lesson build toward a well-developed understanding of the base 10 number structure. This will allow students to manipulate and make sense of numbers that are more complex.
Vocabulary:
compare, equal, expanded form, digit, value, place, more than, less than, greater than, less than, number, word form, number parts
Special Materials:
Printable Arrow Cards
Gameboard
Lesson plan