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This yummy fall math idea uses candy corn to illustrate inequalities
Title – Candy Corns Are the Greatest!
By – Melanie Garrison
Primary Subject – Math
Grade Level – 1 – 2
Materials: candy corn patterns, candy corn inequality cards, pencils, number cards
- 1. TLW determine which numbers are lesser or greater than other numbers.
- 2. TLW write inequalities in numerical and verbal form.
- 3. TLW order numbers from highest to lowest on paper.
Procedure (20-minute lesson):
- 1. Write random numbers on card stock squares. Give each student a different number. (Numbers can range from 10 to 30.)
- 2. Ask students to compare their number with a partner. Have them make an inequality with their number and their partner’s number. Which number is lesser, or which number is greater? (12 < 21 or 24 > 15).
- 3. Ask students read their inequalities aloud to you.
- 4. Trace a candy corn on poster board or paper. Turn the candy corn on its side. Write one number on the pointy top and one number on the bottom.
- 4. Give a candy corn to each student and ask them to write a > or < in the middle of the candy corn.
- 5. Ask each student to read his or her inequality aloud to you. Write all of the inequalities on the board or overhead.
- 6. Write a few of the inequalities backwards. (If you have 11 < 20, write 20 > 11.)
- 7. Then ask everyone to write down the reversals of all the inequalities on the board, including the ones you did as an example.
- 8. You may give out candy corn at the end of the lesson if you want to do so.
Closure: Review lesson. Review > and < signs and how you use them.
Evaluation: Use the activity from #7 above for an assessment.
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