Max Maths, Year 3, Learn together, Comparing and ordering numbers up to 1000 (1)

In a Year 3 maths lesson from Max Maths, children learn the concept of comparing and ordering numbers up to 1000. The lesson uses a practical example to make the learning relatable and engaging. Padma and Toby have bought seeds from the market, with Padma purchasing 159 sunflower seeds and Toby acquiring 204 pumpkin seeds. The question posed to the students is to determine who has the greater number of seeds. This real-world scenario provides a context for the children to apply their understanding of number comparison.

To compare the numbers effectively, the lesson introduces a place-value chart. Students are guided to write each number in the chart, aligning the digits according to ones, tens, and hundreds. By comparing the digits starting from the hundreds place, children can see that 2 hundreds are more than 1 hundred, leading to the conclusion that Toby's 204 pumpkin seeds are more than Padma's 159 sunflower seeds. The lesson emphasises that if the hundreds place were the same, the next step would be to compare the tens place. This step-by-step approach helps children grasp the fundamental skills of number comparison and ordering, which are essential for their mathematical development.