Place Value within 50 - Compare objects within 50 - Planning

The lesson plan for Year 1 students in the Spring term focuses on comparing objects within a set of 50, a concept crucial to understanding place value. The lesson begins with a review of previous learning, where children use terms such as 'more than', 'less than', and 'equal to', and are introduced to inequality symbols to compare sets of objects. The class is encouraged to discuss their reasoning in full sentences to reinforce their understanding. A variety of activities are presented, including arranging objects in different ways, such as in lines, arrays, or groups of tens and ones, to determine which method makes counting and comparing easier. Children are also taught how to use comparison symbols to make statements about the quantities they observe, emphasising the concept that larger numbers correspond to the wider end of the symbol.

As the lesson progresses, children engage in independent learning through differentiated worksheets and teaching slides. They practice comparing objects and numbers, using concrete equipment and visual representations to aid their understanding. In the plenary, students reflect on what they have learned, discussing the skills they used and any challenges they faced, as well as the support that helped them during the lesson. The lesson plan includes activities designed to cater to different learning levels, from 'Working Towards' to 'Greater Depth', ensuring that all children can engage with the content effectively. The activities aim to reinforce the association between objects and their numerical value, develop counting and comparison skills, and encourage the use of mathematical symbols to represent these comparisons accurately.