Place value - Compare numbers - Planning

In a Year 3 mathematics lesson on place value, pupils are introduced to comparing three-digit numbers up to 1,000. The lesson begins with a starter activity where children answer 'fluent in four' questions to refresh their understanding of place value. The class then dives into the concept of comparing numbers using place value counters and digit cards. The key vocabulary for this lesson includes terms such as 'compare', 'strategy', 'represent', 'greater than', 'less than', 'greatest', and 'smallest'. Students are encouraged to demonstrate their understanding by creating the greatest and smallest possible numbers with the given digits and comparing them using inequality symbols, while also articulating their reasoning with structured sentences.

The lesson includes practical activities designed to enhance fluency in comparing numbers. Children are encouraged to use a variety of methods, such as number lines, concrete manipulatives, or place value charts, to effectively compare the given numbers. Key questions prompt students to reflect on their chosen strategies and the materials that aided their comparison. The lesson aims to address common misconceptions, such as comparing numbers based on the sum of digits rather than their place value. By the end of the lesson, students are expected to understand the importance of zero as a placeholder and be able to compare numbers in different forms, including digits, number sentences, and written words, with more advanced students also working with partitioned number sentences. The lesson concludes with a 'Give me five' reflection activity, where students review what they've learned and commit to remembering key concepts.