Young mathematicians spin their way to a deeper number sense with this fun, collaborative activity. Using two spinners, one with the numbers 0-9 and the other with the decades 00-90, pairs of students take turns building and comparing...

When comparing groups of objects, it's easy for children to identify which has more, but it's not so easy for them to explain their reasoning. This simple whole-group activity provides multiple opportunities for learners to compare...

Deepen the number sense of young mathematicians with this unique ordering exercise. Given a list of the numbers 1, 5, 10, 50, and 100, young learners must determine where the numbers from a second list fit in the sequence. To increase...

There are four irrational numbers that participants need to graph. Pi(π), -(½ x π), and √17 are easy to approximate with common rational numbers. On the other hand, the commentary describing the irrational number 2√2 is not...

Subtracting negative numbers can be confusing to your middle schoolers. Here, they are able to draw a number line and put their answer in sentence form to check their understanding of negative numbers. 

Place value is a concept that sets a foundation for mathematical understanding. Ordering these sets of three- and four-digit numbers will help to strengthen that foundation. A great independent practice worksheet or short assessment to...

Which is colder -12 or -18? Temperature is natural real-world application of ordering rational numbers. It's also fun to talk about the lowest recorded temperature on Earth. Take the time to discuss this inquiry with your class. 

What better way to learn about fractions than with a couple pizzas? Help Jessica figure out how much of the pizza she has eaten, while teaching your class that fractions refer to a specific whole amount. This problem will be challenging...

Introduce a new strategy for comparing fractions by analyzing Melissa's use of benchmarks. Walk the class through her process, calling on students to explain their understanding of each step she took. Then practice this method on two...

Have your class demonstrate their ability to compare fractions with this short multiple-choice assessment. Using the fractions 9/8 and 9/4, the students first make comparisons using both words and the greater than/less than signs. Next,...

A short, multiple choice assessment that determines your 3rd graders' ability to correctly compare fractions with like denominators. This quiz asks learners to compare two fractions using words, the greater than/less than symbols, and...

Common Core is all about getting your learners to open their minds and think about the why and how. This problem has them thinking about unknown numbers and their relationship with one another when we round and...

Young mathematicians are on their feet and moving around in this primary grade sorting activity. After giving each child an object or picture card, they then sort themselves into groups, counting to see which has the most or least...

A super bear is a whole lot of gummy bear. Scholars hone their estimation skills by completing an activity. Given the masses of a mini gummy bear and a regular gummy bear, they must determine the number of each needed to have the same...

Let's build a castle! Dennis and Cody have big plans, but do they have enough blocks between the two of them to accomplish their goal? A great context that requires students to add and compare mixed numbers. Encourage the use of pictures...

Plant growth experiments offer rich, cross-curricular learning opportunities that can really excite and engage young learners. In this series, children work in pairs planting, measuring, and comparing the height of bean plants in order...

Expand the the comparative language of young mathematicians with a hand-on weight measurement activity. Working independently or in pairs, children compare the weight of large wooden blocks to various other classroom objects, recording...

Understanding the concept of equality is fundamental to the success of young mathematicians. To explore this basic idea, children compare the dots arranged in pairs of rectangles in order to determine whether or not they contain an equal...

For many young children it seems obvious that longer objects are heavier than shorter objects. This assumption is put to the test as the class investigates the relationship between length and weight in a whole-group activity. Using a...

A rational number is a ratio of two integers. Discuss with your class how to convert the rational numbers of repeating decimals to fractions. A good commentary on letting x equal the repeating decimal and multiplying each side of...

Compare two different proportional relationships on a graph. It is up to your mathematicians to determine which of two moving objects have greater speed. A good example of a Common Core multiple choice question. 

Here is an activity that incorporates subtraction in word problems. Youngsters are provided with six word problems that essentially deal with the same numbers in each problem, yet use different comparison language. These problems are...

Take advantage of this interdisciplinary resource and bring together topics in science, language arts, and math. Use characters and events from the story Tillena Lou's Big Adventure as a context for practicing addition and...

Algebra learners must know how to use rational numbers to approximate irrationals. This resource asks participants to decide which number is larger without using a calculator. It makes a great exercise to use as a five-minute transition...