Comparing Numbers

The last two weeks in math were spent building a very strong foundation in place value. The boys and girls have been composing and decomposing various two and three digit numbers. It is very important that they have a deep understanding of place value in order to move on with the rest of the math curriculum. I encourage the boys and girls to continue to practice making numbers (using hundreds, tens and ones models or pictures at home too).

Today we began comparing and ordering numbers. We warmed up playing a fun little game (which could be played at home too). I rolled a die three times. Each time I rolled a number the boys and girls had to decide if they would put it in the hundreds, tens or ones digit. The goal was to try and make the biggest possible number. It was a fun way to begin wrapping our heads around comparing numbers. After wards we did our first true problem solving (Grade Three style) in small groups. Here was todays problem!

Little Bear had the following base ten blocks:
2 flats (hundreds)
10 rods (tens)
3 cubes (ones)

Big Bird had the following base ten blocks
1 flats (hundreds)
21 rods (tens)
3 cubes (ones)

Which critter had the bigger number? Show your work.

Tomorrow we will learn all about the symbols "greater than and less than" and how to use them!