Number battles

Learning objectives

• Compare two numbers and say which is larger.
• Use the <, > and = signs correctly.
• Compare decimals (Year 4 and up), using the fibre, protein and carbohydrate values.

Curriculum links

• Maths, Year 2Compare and order numbers up to 100, using <, > and = signs.
• Maths, Year 4Compare numbers with the same number of decimal places, up to two decimal places.
• Maths, Year 5Read, write, order and compare numbers with up to three decimal places.

Lesson plan

1. Starter5 min
   Write two values from the cards on the board, for example 47 and 35. Which is bigger? How do you know? Write 47 > 35.
2. Model5 min
   Play one round against a volunteer, thinking aloud as you compare.
3. Play25 min
   Pairs play Veggie Trumps. After every round, they write the battle on the record sheet: card names, the value each card had, and the right sign. Younger pupils use energy and vitamin C (whole numbers). Year 4 and up use fibre, protein and carbohydrates (decimals).
4. Plenary10 min
   Share the trickiest battles. Focus on decimals: which is bigger, 1.8 or 1.10? Why do people get this wrong?

Support and challenge

• SupportStick to energy (whole numbers) and use a 0–250 number line to check.
• ChallengeAfter each game, put all the values they recorded in order from smallest to largest.