Mathematics
Grade 1
Compare and Order Whole Numbers
Using Symbols
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Dear Parent or Guardian:
Your child is currently learning to compare and order numbers using
the symbols for greater than, >, less than, <, and equal to, =. Here
is your chance to help your child practice this important skill.
In this PAL Packet you will find a short activity for you and your
child to do. Please do the activity and The Back Page this evening.
Then sign your name on The Back Page and have your child return it
tomorrow.
Remember, parents are a child’s first teacher. Thank you for your
time and energy in making learning fun and exciting for your child.
Sincerely,
_________________________
Your child’s teacher
Grade 1 – Compare and Order Whole Numbers Using Symbols
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
1
Last printed 8/27/04
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COMPARING AND ORDERING NUMBERS
Parent Pointer —
Knowing how to compare and order numbers is a skill we use every day.
Knowing if you have enough money to make a purchase, knowing which
movie is longer than another, and even finding out if a friend is older
than you are all done by comparing and ordering numbers. Your child is
currently using the greater than, >, less than, <, and equal to, =,
symbols to compare whole numbers. This is a basic skill that will be
built upon as your child progresses through school.
Math in the Home, on the Go, and for the Fun of It —
DIRECTIONS: Read through the Greater than, Less than, Equal To
reference sheet with your child. Go step by step to make sure your
child understands how to compare numbers using these symbols. Talk
about the “Remember” section, since using the alligator’s mouth helps
many children remember the difference between the two signs. Take
time to discuss the “Think about it” questions at the bottom of the
page. Then, move on to the Which Symbol? activity page, where you
need to choose the symbol that makes a correct comparison.
Talk about It —
After you have finished the activity, turn to The Back Page to have
your child show what he or she knows.
Now go have some fun with the activity! (
Grade 1 – Compare and Order Whole Numbers Using Symbols
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
2
Last printed 8/27/04
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Greater than, Less than, Equal To
Greater than >
The greater than sign is used when the first number is larger than the second number.
Here are two numbers, 43 and 22.
We use place value to decide which number is larger.
The digits in the tens column are 4 and 2.
Since 4 is larger than 2, 43 is larger than 22.
Remember - The alligator always eats
the larger number: 43
22
Place the symbol between the numbers.
43 > 22
To read this, we say “43 is greater than 22.”
Less than <
The less than sign is used when the first number is smaller than the second number.
Here are two numbers, 7 and 9.
We use place value to decide which number is smaller.
Since there are only values in the ones column,
we compare these numbers, 7 and 9.
Place the symbol between the numbers.
7<9
To read this, we say “7 is less than 9.”
The equal to sign is used when the first number and
the second number have the same value.
Equal to =
Here are two numbers: 18 and 18.
They are both the same number, so they have the same value.
Place the symbol between the numbers.
18 = 18
To read this, we say ”18 is equal to 18.”
Think about it - How do you find out which number is larger if one has a digit in
the tens place and one only has a digit in the ones place? How
do you find the larger number if they both have the same digit
in the tens column?
Grade 1 – Compare and Order Whole Numbers Using Symbols
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
3
Last printed 8/27/04
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Which Symbol?
Materials:
Directions:
Cut out the cards below. Keep them separate.
Cut out the cards from the next page. Mix them up and place them
facedown in a pile.
You go first. Take the top card from the pile and compare the
numbers on the card. Decide which symbol belongs between them
to correctly compare the numbers: <, >, or = . Hold up the card
that shows the symbol you chose.
If you both agree that the symbol you chose is correct, write the
symbol on the card, and you keep the card!
If you do not agree, mix the card back into the pile.
Take turns taking cards. The person with the most cards WINS!
<
>
Grade 1 – Compare and Order Whole Numbers Using Symbols
=
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
4
Last printed 8/27/04
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Which Symbol?
Cutouts
12
21
17
17
81
73
41
53
12
10
31
35
54
54
50
42
9
9
25
61
11
19
30
30
47
51
82
28
36
36
75
68
25
25
91
88
Grade 1 – Compare and Order Whole Numbers Using Symbols
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
5
Last printed 8/27/04
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The Back Page
Talk about It
Parent —
Ask your child the following questions:
9How do you compare numbers to decide which number
is the largest?
9What do these symbols mean: <, >, and =?
Write your child’s answers to the above questions on the
reverse side of this page.
OR
Do one of the following activities on the reverse side of
this page:
9Help your child cut out twelve numbers from a
newspaper or magazine. Then have your child glue
them in pairs to the back of this page and write the
correct signs to compare each set of numbers.
9Take a walk around your neighborhood with your child,
and have him or her write down the last two digits of
the addresses you see. Then write them in pairs on
the back of this page and have your child write the
correct signs to compare these numbers.
__________________________ _________________________
Student’s Name
Parent or Guardian’s Signature
Grade 1 – Compare and Order Whole Numbers Using Symbols
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
6
Last printed 8/27/04