Place value within 10 - Comparing numbers - Starter

During the third week of the Autumn Term, Year 1 students engage in a 'Fluent in Four' revision exercise that combines practical learning with mathematical concepts. The children are encouraged to use Lego pieces as a hands-on tool to aid their understanding of numbers and quantities. The activity begins with a simple addition task where students are asked to add two tens together, reinforcing the concept of place value within 10. They then use Lego to build a tower with four pieces, challenging them to visualise and compare quantities by constructing towers of varying heights.

The lesson continues with exercises that further develop the students' ability to compare numbers. By using inequality symbols, children learn to determine if there are enough cups for the depicted group wanting water. They are asked to compare the number 20 with the sum of 20 plus 0, and to represent this comparison using the correct inequality symbol. The hands-on approach with Lego and the integration of real-life scenarios, such as sharing water among peers, makes the learning experience both engaging and relatable for the young students.