More, Fewer, Same

This center-based lesson plan will allow students to count and compare sets to 30 through six different center activities.  All needed papers are provided for printout. Students that are successful in math have learned to link numbers to quantities. This is the first and most significant step in being a successful mathematician. Many students have an easy time counting but a difficult time when asked to put a number to that which was counted. They may also have a difficult time when the questions, Which is fewer, 2 or 4? or Which is more, 2 or 4? are asked. It is essential that students have opportunities to explore number combinations and that they are asked these important questions.

Weblink address (URL): 
More, Fewer, Same

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives: 

Intended Learning Outcomes:

  • Demonstrate a positive learning attitude. 
  • Understand and use basic concepts and skills. 
  • Communicate clearly in oral, artistic, written, and nonverbal form.

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Understanding
Extension suggestions: 

Extensions:

Curriculum Extensions/Adaptations/Integration:

  • Use the different stages of activities to meet the needs of your students.
  • Ask mathematical questions during Language Arts and Content time.
  • All students can use centers. Adaptations in quantity of numbers can be adjusted to meet the specific needs of each student.
  • Center activities should be taught to the whole group and then placed in a center for students to practice and become proficient in the subject matter.

 

Interdisciplinary opportunities: 

Family Connections:

  • Have the students take home a More and Fewer recording sheet. Have the students look around their houses. Tell them to draw/ write the name of something they have more of in their homes and something that they have less of in their homes (e.g., draw a picture of a chair in the more column and a picture of an oven in the less column).
  • The alligator puppet could be sent home with a More and Fewer recording sheet. The students and their families could look around their homes for items that they have more/fewer of and record their findings on the recording sheet.
  • Math Night- Parents would be invited to make the math activities for their homes.

Helpful Hints

Materials:

  • Invitation to Learn
  • Deck of cards
  • Alligator puppet
  • Group Activity
  • More or Less?

Center 1: Alligator More/Fewer:

  • Alligator More and Fewer
  • Number cubes
  • Pencil

Center 2: Counter Toss:

  • More/Fewer/Same
  • Pencil
  • Counters
  • Cup

Center 3: More/Fewer/Same Spinner Game:

  • More/Fewer/Same Spinner
  • Interlocking cubes

Center 4: Hoop Fun:

  • Three hoops
  • Manipulatives
  • Index cards
  • Math journal

Pencil

Center 5: Tower Power:

  • Number cubes
  • Interlocking cubes
  • More/Fewer/Same Spinner

Pencil

Center 6: More/Fewer/Same Balance:

  • Simple balance:
  • Manipulatives
  • More/Fewer/Same
  • Pencils

Additional Resources:

Books:

  • Just Enough Carrots, by Stuart J. Murphy; ISBN 0-06-026778-X (Children’s Book) 
  • Moo-ving into Math Journals, by Margaret Allen, Ph.D.; ISBN 0-9722832-0-X (Professional Book) 
  • More or Less?, by Judy Nayer; ISBN 1-56784-954-7 (Big Book)
  • More, Fewer, Less, by Tana Hoban; ISBN 0-688-15694-0 (Children’s Book)

References

Contributors: 
Lisa Bell
Originator: 
Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation