Max Maths, Year 1, Learn together, Comparing numbers to 20

In the 'Max Maths, Year 1, Learn Together' series, the section on 'Comparing Numbers to 20' introduces young learners to the concept of comparing quantities and understanding the terms 'more' and 'fewer'. Through a relatable and engaging scenario involving hens and chicks, children are encouraged to observe and compare the number of chicks each hen has. For instance, when asked which hen has more chicks, children learn that the black hen has three additional chicks compared to the yellow hen. They are taught that the number 10, representing the black hen's chicks, is greater than the number 7, which represents the yellow hen's chicks, reinforcing the concept that 10 is 3 more than 7.

Conversely, when the question is about which hen has fewer chicks, the focus shifts to the yellow hen, which has three chicks less than the black hen. The children are guided to understand that the number 7 is less than 10 by three, thus 7 is smaller than 10. This part of the lesson helps to solidify the understanding of numerical comparison, teaching the children how to identify which of two numbers is larger or smaller by using real-world examples that make the abstract concept of numbers more tangible and easier to grasp.