Activities to Teach Students the Difference Between Fewer and More – Compare by Counting
When it comes to teaching young students the difference between “fewer” and “more”, it can be challenging to find fun and engaging activities that will keep their attention. However, by using activities that involve counting and comparing, you can make the learning process more enjoyable for students while also reinforcing the concept in a tangible way.
Here are five such activities to get you started.
1. Counting Bean Game:
This game involves two jars filled with different numbers of beans. The student must count the number of beans in each jar and then determine which one has fewer/more. This game can be played individually or in small groups.
2. Picture Comparison:
This activity involves showing students two pictures with different numbers of objects and asking them to compare the two by counting. For example, one picture might display three apples while the other has six apples. Students are then asked to identify which picture has more apples.
3. Guessing Game:
This game is similar to the Counting Bean Game, but instead of counting the objects themselves, students must guess which jar has fewer/more. After they make their guess, they then count the beans to see if they were correct.
4. Egg Carton Exercise:
In this exercise, students are given an egg carton and a set of objects (e.g., marbles, buttons, small toys). They then have to distribute the objects evenly into each section of the egg carton and count how many are in each section. Students can then compare the number of objects in each section to determine which has more/fewer.
5. Scavenger Hunt:
For this activity, students are given a list of items to find around the classroom or outside. The items can be anything, such as pencils, leaves, or rocks. After they find each item, students must count how many they have collected and compare the numbers to determine which item they have fewer/more of.
In conclusion, teaching students the difference between “fewer” and “more” can be done in a fun and interactive way by using activities that involve counting and comparing. These five activities are just a few examples of how you can create a memorable learning experience for your students while reinforcing this important concept.