Lesson 12

Compare Multi-digit Numbers

Lesson Purpose

The purpose of this lesson is for students to compare two multi-digit whole numbers within 1,000,000 by reasoning about place value and to explain how they make comparisons.

Lesson Narrative

Previously, students learned to build, read, name, and write multi-digit whole numbers up to six digits. They also developed an understanding of the relationship between a digit in one place and the same digit in the place immediately to its right. Through that work, students built their intuition for the relative size of numbers.

In this lesson, students use their understanding of place value to compare numbers and articulate how they reason about the size of the numbers. In doing so, they reinforce their understanding of place value and the base-ten number system (MP7). In communicating their thinking, they also practice attending to precision (MP6).

  • Action and Expression
  • MLR2

Learning Goals

Teacher Facing

  • Compare 2 multi-digit whole numbers within 1,000,000 using place value reasoning.

Student Facing

  • Let’s compare large numbers.

Required Materials

Required Preparation

Activity 3:

  • Each group of 2 needs a set of cards from the previous activity.

CCSS Standards

Addressing

Lesson Timeline

Warm-up 10 min
Activity 1 15 min
Activity 2 10 min
Activity 3 20 min
Lesson Synthesis 10 min
Cool-down 5 min

Teacher Reflection Questions

Today’s work on comparison relies on students’ understanding of place value and numbers in base ten. How readily did students connect today’s activities to their prior knowledge? What connections could have been made but were missed?

Suggested Centers

  • Greatest of Them All (1–5), Stage 3: Multi-digit Numbers (Addressing)
  • Tic Tac Round (3–5), Stage 1: Nearest Ten or Hundred (Supporting)

Print Formatted Materials

Teachers with a valid work email address can click here to register or sign in for free access to Cool Down, Teacher Guide, and PowerPoint materials.

Student Task Statements pdf docx
Lesson Cover Page pdf docx
Cool Down Log In
Teacher Guide Log In
Teacher Presentation Materials pdf docx

Additional Resources

Google Slides Log In
PowerPoint Slides Log In