Lesson 1

The purpose of this lesson is for students to sort, count, and compare groups of up to 10 objects.

In previous units, students sorted objects into given categories and categories that they created. Students wrote numbers to represent quantities and compared quantities. In this lesson, students sort objects by color and represent how many objects are in each group. Students compare the number of objects in each group and also compare the total number of objects with a partner. When comparing groups of objects, students may match the objects, use representations they created, or use their knowledge of the count sequence. The standards do not require students to compare written numbers beyond 10. The question in the lesson synthesis is posed so students can reason about how numbers and arrangements can both be helpful in comparing groups of objects. There is not a correct choice as both are valid.  

When students compare written numbers or diagrams to decide which group has more, they reason abstractly and quantitatively (MP2).

If students need additional support with the concepts in this lesson, refer back to Unit 2, Section A in the curriculum materials.

• Each student needs a bag with 2 different colored beads or other objects, with up to 10 of each color.

• Students need the bags of beads and their representations from the previous activity.

• Gather materials from:
  • Less, Same, More
  • Math Fingers
  • Tower Build
  • Math Stories
  • Which One

In the beginning of the year, students compared groups of objects by matching them. In what ways have their strategies for comparing progressed?