More and Fewer Comparison Word Problems
Use matching rows of counters to teach more-than and fewer-than comparisons.
Teaching notes for parents and teachers
How to teach it
Build the known collection, then match it in a second row. Add or remove the difference to represent the other person's collection.
Example to work through together
Use the model below as you explain the example. Have your student point to the quantities as you discuss them.
Alex: 8 cards.
Maya: as many as Alex, plus 3 extra.
8 + 3 = 11
Maya has 11 cards. The extra 3 are only the part beyond Alex’s collection.
Ask your student
Does this number tell us the whole collection or just the difference?
If your student needs help
If the student copies the difference as the answer, have them count the entire row for the person named in the question.
Choosing and using the worksheet
Each question gives a reference amount and a difference, then asks for the compared person’s total. The set includes both larger and smaller collections, with numbers within twenty. Finding the difference between two given totals or finding an unknown reference amount are separate skills.
Make a practice set
Select the worksheet, answer key, or both. When both are selected, the answer key prints after the questions. Keep it separate if you want your student to work independently.
After your student finishes
Have the child name the person and object in the answer. Then check the difference between the two collections. If the difference is right and the larger collection belongs to the right person, the comparison is consistent.
Word problemsFind the Starting Amount Word Problems
Work backward from a final total to find how many there were before.
6 problems · Answer key included
Word problemsWord Problems With Extra Information
Choose the useful quantities instead of calculating with every number.
4 problems · Answer key included
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