Block Battles Lesson Guide Teacher Resource
Block Battles
Comparing Numbers 0–100 with Base-Ten Blocks
Grade Level: 1st & 2nd
Focus: Number & Operations
OBJECTIVE
Students will visually represent numbers 0-100 and compare them using >, <, and = by evaluating tens first, then ones.
MATERIALS
Physical base-ten blocks (rods and units), dry-erase boards, Block Battles clip cards, leveled worksheets.
KEY VOCAB
Tens rod, ones unit, greater than (>), less than (<), equal to (=).
PACING GUIDE & INSTRUCTIONAL FLOW
10 Min
Warm-Up: Build the Battle
Show students two numbers (e.g., 24 and 42). Have two volunteers build them using large base-ten blocks at the front. Ask: "Which number has more giant groups of ten? How does that help us tell which number is larger?"
15 Min
Direct Instruction: "Tens Talk First"
Introduce the "Tens Talk First" rule. Always compare the tens column first. If the tens are a tie, we look at the ones. Introduce the comparison symbols < and > as greedy block monsters or alligator jaws that always open towards the larger stack of blocks.
15 Min
Guided Practice: Block Showdown
Display interactive slides. Have students use mini dry-erase boards to write down the numbers and the comparison symbol. Walk around to look for the "Tens First" rule in action, prompting students to explain their reasoning.
15 Min
Independent & Centers
Students split into differentiated centers. Group A works on Level A/B worksheets; Group B engages with the hands-on "Block Battle" clip cards and sorting mats; Group C works on abstract comparison tasks.
5 Min
Closure & Reflection
Exit ticket challenge: Write "65 [ ] 56" on the board. Prompt: "Who can tell me why 65 is bigger even though 56 has a 6?" Emphasize place value power.
Block Battles Math Curriculum Page 1 of 2
Teacher Resource
Anchor Chart & Misconceptions
Visual Supports & Diagnostic Tools
Grade Level: 1st & 2nd
Classroom Display Guide
PRINTABLE ANCHOR CHART CONTENT
Recreate this layout on anchor chart paper to serve as a classroom visual anchor.
How to Battle & Compare! ⚔️
1
COMPARE TENS FIRST!
Look at the orange rods. The number with more tens is always larger!
>
2
TENS TIE? COMPARE ONES!
If tens are the same, look at the green ones. The team with more ones wins!
>
>
Greater Than
<
Less Than
=
Equal To
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS & REMEDIES
Ones Obsession
Issue: Students think 39 is larger than 51 because "9 is the biggest number."
Remedy: Direct them to physical blocks. "Would you rather have 5 ten-dollar bills or 3 ten-dollar bills with 9 one-dollar bills?" Focus on magnitude.
Symbol Reversal
Issue: Students know which number is bigger, but write the symbol backwards.
Remedy: Remind them of the "greedy alligator mouth" eating the larger block tower, or have them draw two dots on the larger number and one dot on the smaller.
Block Battles Math Curriculum Page 2 of 2
Block Battles Slides Math Showdown Series Units & Rods Edition
Block Battles
Comparing Numbers 0 to 100 Using Base-Ten Blocks!
Primary Math Classroom
Ready to Battle?
The Battle Rulebook
Rule #1: Tens First!
1
Tens Talk First!
Always compare the tens place first. If one number has more orange tens rods, it is automatically the winner of the battle!
>
Two Tens beats One Ten!
2
Ones Break the Tie!
If the tens column is equal, look at the green ones. The number with more single block units wins the battle!
>
Three Ones beats One One!
Rule: Check the TENS first, always!
Slide 2 of 6
Round 1 Tens Showdown!
Which is larger?
Team Red
32
3 Tens and 2 Ones
VS
?
Team Gold
25
2 Tens and 5 Ones
Compare tens: 3 Tens > 2 Tens. So, 32 is GREATER than 25!
Slide 3 of 6
Round 2 The Great Tens Tie!
When tens match...
43
4 Tens & 3 Ones
Compare
<
LESS THAN
46
4 Tens & 6 Ones
Tens match (40 = 40)! Look at the green ones. 3 Ones < 6 Ones.
Slide 4 of 6
Master the Monsters!
Symbol Secrets
GREATER THAN
>
The mouth points to the left, ready to chomp the first (larger) number!
Example: 80 > 50
LESS THAN
<
The mouth points to the right, opening wide to devour the second (larger) number!
Example: 30 < 90
EQUAL TO
=
The values are identical on both sides. No showdown needed!
Example: 45 = 45
Tip: Alligators always eat the biggest number tower!
Slide 5 of 6
The Final Battle Clash!
Show your answers!
Clash #1
51 [ ? ] 39
Compare the tens first!
Clash #2
vs
64 [ ? ] 68
Tens match! Look at ones.
Clash #3
27 [ ? ] 27
Are they perfectly equal?
Block Battles Center Cards MATH CENTER ACTIVE
Block Battle Mat
How to play: Build numbers on left & right with physical blocks, then place the correct card (< , > , =) in the center box!
Left Side Pile
Build Team A
Place Block Card or
TENS: ____ ONES: ____
VS
Battle Spot
?
Place Symbol
<
>
=
Right Side Pile
Build Team B
Place Block Card or
TENS: ____ ONES: ____
Cut along dotted lines to create game pieces for the Center!
<
>
=
<
>
Printable Task Cards
Showdown Clip Cards
Directions: Count blocks on left & right.
Clip correct symbol with a pin!
Card 1
VS
< > =
Card 2
VS
< > =
Card 3
VS
< > =
Card 4
VS
< > =
Card 5
VS
< > =
Card 6
VS
< > =
Center: Block Battles Clip Cards Page 2 of 2
Block Battles Worksheets Level A: Starter
Block Battles: Visual Guide
Name: ________________________
Date: ________________________
Directions: Count the blocks on each side. Write the numbers in the blanks, then trace the comparison symbol that eats the larger pile of blocks!
_____ Tens _____ Ones
13
Trace
<
_____ Tens _____ Ones
21
_____ Tens _____ Ones
32
Trace
>
_____ Tens _____ Ones
24
_____ Tens _____ Ones
23
Trace
=
_____ Tens _____ Ones
23
Block Battles Math Curriculum Page 1 of 3
Level B: Target
Block Battles: Block Clash!
Name: ________________________
Date: ________________________
Directions: Count the base-ten blocks in each box. Write the numbers below, then fill in the blank shield with the correct comparison symbol: < , > , or =.
____ ____
____ ____
____ ____
____ ____
Place Value Champion Think-Off
Sam has 4 tens and 2 ones. Leo has 2 tens and 9 ones. Draw their blocks below and write the winning symbol in the box!
Sam's Blocks
Leo's Blocks
Block Battles Math Curriculum Page 2 of 3
Level C: Challenge
Block Battles: Number Clash!
Name: ________________________
Date: ________________________
Directions: Compare the pure numbers below. Write < , > , or =. Think about your base-ten blocks (Tens column first, then Ones!).
45
54
89
98
62
62
71
17
30
33
100
99
Word Problem Arena
1. Maya built the number 64. Ben built 46. Maya says she has the larger number because she has more tens rods. Is Maya correct? Explain why.
2. Write a number with more tens than 42, but fewer tens than 67.
My Secret Number: ________________
Block Battles Math Curriculum Page 3 of 3
