Counting Sets Lesson Plan Lesson 1 Teacher Guide • Concrete Level
Counting Sets Lesson Plan
Target: Special Education K-2 / Tier 2-3
Duration: 35-45 Minutes
Learning Objective
Students will count two sets of objects (up to 10) and use 1-to-1 matching to identify which set has more and which has fewer .
Key Vocabulary
• Set: A group of items
• More: The bigger amount
• Fewer: The smaller amount
• Match: Pairing one to one
Manipulatives
Two-color counters, connecting cubes, dual ten-frame sorting mats, dry-erase pairing lines.
1 Warm-Up & Concrete Hook (7 Mins)
I Do / Whole Group
Place 5 yellow counters in a line and 3 blue counters beneath them. Teacher script: "Watch me draw a line from each yellow counter to each blue counter. Look! These yellow counters have no partners left over. That means the yellow team has MORE, and the blue team has FEWER."
2 Guided Concrete Practice (15 Mins)
We Do / Partner Pairs
Students use ten frames and linking cubes. Prompt: "Build a tower of 6 green cubes and a tower of 4 orange cubes. Stand them side-by-side. Touch the taller tower. Which tower has more?" Have students chorally chant: "6 is more than 4!" Repeat with physical matching cards.
3 Representational Practice & Packet (15 Mins)
You Do / Guided Stations
Transition students to the Counting Sets Student Packet . Teach students to draw matching connector lines from the left group to the right group before circling the answer. Circulate to check tactile counting strategies (touch and count).
Special Education Accommodations & Modifications
• Fine Motor Support: Use large foam counters or bingo daubers instead of drawing pencil lines. Provide pre-cut pairing yarn strands.
• Attention & Visual Processing: Cover non-active rows with a black card stock window slider to isolate one problem at a time.
More or Less Champions • Lesson 1 Teacher Guide Page 1 of 1
Counting Sets Slides Math Champions • Lesson 1
Concrete Counting
Counting Sets
Let us count objects and match them one-by-one to discover which group has MORE and which has FEWER !
Touch, Count, and Partner Up!
Slide 1 of 4
Step 1: Watch & Learn
Match Each Item to a Partner!
I DO
Blue Team: 5 Circles
1
2
3
4
5
Has 2 Left Over → MORE!
Yellow Team: 3 Circles
1
2
3
Ran Out First → FEWER!
Rule: The group with extra pieces has MORE . The group that runs out has FEWER .
Step 2: Together
Which Group Has MORE?
WE DO
Group A: Purple Stars
Total: 7
Group B: Orange Stars
Total: 4
Which number is bigger? 7 is MORE than 4!
Step 3: Quick Check
Which Group Has FEWER?
YOUR TURN
Set 1
2 Hearts
Set 2
6 Hearts
Show with your fingers: Which set has FEWER? 2 or 6?
Counting Sets Packet Lesson 1 • Student Practice
Counting Sets Packet
Name:
Date:
GUIDED EXAMPLE
How to Find the Group with MORE
1. Count each group. • 2. Draw a line from each object on the left to an object on the right. • 3. The group with leftover items has MORE .
Group A (5 Acorns)
🌰 🌰 🌰 🌰 🌰
MORE (2 left over!)
← match →
Group B (3 Leaves)
🍁 🍁 🍁
FEWER
Problem 1: Draw matching lines. Circle the group that has MORE.
🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎
Count: [ ]
🍏 🍏 🍏 🍏
Count: [ ]
Problem 2: Draw matching lines. Circle the group that has FEWER.
🌟 🌟 🌟
Count: [ ]
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Count: [ ]
More or Less Champions • Counting Sets Page 1 of 2
Independent Practice
Ten-Frame Set Check
Lesson 1 Practice
Look at the ten-frames! The frame with more filled dots is the greater set.
Problem 3: Count the dots in each ten-frame. Circle the frame with MORE.
Ten-Frame A
Dots:
Ten-Frame B
Dots:
Problem 4: Count the objects. Check (✓) the sentence that is TRUE.
Fish Bowl 1
🐟 🐟 🐟
3 Fish
Fish Bowl 2
🐠 🐠 🐠 🐠 🐠 🐠
6 Fish
Fish Bowl 1 has FEWER fish than Fish Bowl 2.
Fish Bowl 1 has MORE fish than Fish Bowl 2.
More or Less Champions • Counting Sets Page 2 of 2
Counting Sets Exit Ticket Quick Check • Lesson 1
Counting Sets Exit Ticket
Name:
Date:
1
Count each box. Circle the group that has MORE.
Group A
🐸 🐸 🐸 🐸 🐸
Count: [ ]
Group B
🐸 🐸
Count: [ ]
2
Count each box. Circle the group that has FEWER.
Group X
🦋 🦋 🦋
Count: [ ]
Group Y
🦋 🦋 🦋 🦋 🦋 🦋
Count: [ ]
How do you feel about today's math goal?
😃 I can do it!
🤔 I need some help
🛑 Let's practice again
More or Less Champions • Lesson 1 Exit Ticket Page 1 of 1
Counting Sets Answer Key Teacher Resource • Solutions & Scoring
Counting Sets Answer Key
Lesson 1 Assessment Key
Target Mastery: 80%+
Student Packet Solutions (Pages 1 & 2)
Problem 1: Find MORE Correct
Left: 6 apples • Right: 4 apples
Answer: Circle Group 1 (6 apples has 2 more).
Problem 2: Find FEWER Correct
Left: 3 stars • Right: 5 stars
Answer: Circle Group 1 (3 stars is fewer than 5).
Problem 3: Ten-Frames Correct
Ten-Frame A: 8 dots • Ten-Frame B: 5 dots
Answer: Circle Ten-Frame A (8 > 5).
Problem 4: True Statement Correct
Bowl 1: 3 fish • Bowl 2: 6 fish
Answer: ✓ "Bowl 1 has FEWER fish than Bowl 2."
Exit Ticket Solutions
Item 1 (Frogs): Group A has 5, Group B has 2. Correct: Circle Group A (5 frogs). Item 2 (Butterflies): Group X has 3, Group Y has 6. Correct: Circle Group X (3 butterflies).
SPED Error Diagnosis & Reteaching Guide
Error 1: Student confuses "fewer" with "more"
Intervention: Use tactile gestures. "More" = spread arms wide. "Fewer" = bring hands close together like a pinch. Pair with visual anchor cards.
Error 2: Inaccurate counting beyond 5
Intervention: Require physical touch-counting or crossing off each item with a pencil as it is counted. Use a physical ten-frame mat.
More or Less Champions • Lesson 1 Teacher Key Page 1 of 1
More or Less Lesson Plan Lesson 2 Teacher Guide • Representational Level
More or Less Lesson Plan
Target: Special Education K-2 / Tier 2-3
Duration: 35-45 Minutes
Learning Objective
Students will compare pictorial sets up to 10 and accurately use the math terms more , less / fewer , and same / equal with sentence stems.
Sentence Stems
• "[A] has more than [B]."
• "[B] has fewer than [A]."
• "They are equal / the same ."
Representations
Visual dot cards, picture cards, balance scale illustrations, comparative sorting mats.
1 Anchor Chart & Language Modeling (8 Mins)
Explicit Instruction
Introduce the 3 comparative symbols/signs on the anchor chart: More (Up Arrow / Full Box) , Less (Down Arrow / Low Box) , and Equal (Balanced Scale / Same Number) . Model language: "Look at the cats and dogs. There are 5 cats and 5 dogs. Neither has extra. They are THE SAME / EQUAL!"
2 Interactive Picture Sort & Choral Response (14 Mins)
Guided Practice
Display pairs of cards on the board. Guide students to use thumbs up for "MORE", thumbs down for "LESS", and flat palms together for "SAME". Have the class repeat full sentences chorally: "8 cookies is MORE than 3 cookies!"
3 Packet Application & Pair Sharing (15 Mins)
Collaborative Work
Students complete the More or Less Student Packet . Encourage students to whisper their sentence frames aloud to their shoulder partner before circling or coloring their answer choice.
Accommodations & Multimodal Supports
• Visual Vocabulary Cards: Provide individual desktop vocabulary strips with color-coded icons (Green = More, Red = Less, Yellow = Equal).
• Speech / Non-Verbal Response: Accept pointing, picture card tapping, or visual communication board selections for non-verbal students.
More or Less Champions • Lesson 2 Teacher Guide Page 1 of 1
More or Less Slides Math Champions • Lesson 2
Representational Words
More or Less
Discover the magic math words: MORE , LESS , and EQUAL !
Speak Like a Math Champion!
Slide 1 of 4
Our 3 Magic Words
What Do They Mean?
VOCABULARY
MORE
A bigger amount!
5 is more than 2
LESS / FEWER
A smaller amount!
2 is less than 5
EQUAL / SAME
The exact same amount!
4 is equal to 4
Hands Ready! Arms wide for MORE • Pinch fingers for LESS • Flat palms for EQUAL !
Say the Sentence
Who Has MORE? Who Has LESS?
PRACTICE
Puppies: 6
🐶 🐶 🐶 🐶 🐶 🐶
Puppies have MORE!
Kittens: 3
🐱 🐱 🐱
Kittens have LESS!
"6 puppies is MORE than 3 kittens!"
Special Match
What Happens When They Match?
EQUAL
Left Plate: 4 Apples
🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎
Count = 4
Right Plate: 4 Oranges
🍊 🍊 🍊 🍊
Count = 4
Both plates have 4. Neither has more. They are EQUAL !
More or Less Packet Lesson 2 • Student Practice
More or Less Packet
Name:
Date:
Word Bank • Use These Words to Fill the Blanks
MORE
LESS
EQUAL
EXAMPLE Box A has 5 books. Box B has 2 books.
Box A has MORE books than Box B.
Problem 1: Count each basket. Complete the sentence below.
Basket A
🥕 🥕 🥕 🥕 🥕 🥕 🥕
Count: 7 Carrots
Basket B
🥕 🥕 🥕
Count: 3 Carrots
Basket B has carrots than Basket A. (Choose: MORE or LESS)
Problem 2: Compare the two trays of muffins.
Tray 1
🧁 🧁 🧁 🧁
Count: 4 Muffins
Tray 2
🧁 🧁 🧁 🧁
Count: 4 Muffins
The two trays are . (Choose: EQUAL or LESS)
More or Less Champions • More or Less Page 1 of 2
Independent Practice
Make It Match & Compare
Lesson 2 Practice
Problem 3: Look at the two jars. Circle the jar that has LESS buttons.
Jar A
🔘 🔘 🔘 🔘 🔘 🔘 🔘 🔘
8 Buttons
Jar B
🔘 🔘 🔘
3 Buttons
Problem 4: Draw dots in Box 2 to make both boxes EQUAL (the same).
Count the dots in Box 1 first, then draw the same number of dots in Box 2.
Box 1 (5 Dots)
Box 2 (Draw your dots here)
Problem 5: Which number is MORE than 6?
2
6
9
More or Less Champions • More or Less Page 2 of 2
More or Less Exit Ticket Quick Check • Lesson 2
More or Less Exit Ticket
Name:
Date:
1
Count and compare. Fill in the blank with MORE or LESS.
Set 1
🚗 🚗 🚗 🚗 🚗
5 Cars
Set 2
🚗 🚗
2 Cars
Set 1 has cars than Set 2.
2
Circle the pair that is EQUAL (has the exact same number).
Option A
🟡 🟡 🟡 and 🟡 🟡 🟡
3 and 3
Option B
🟡 🟡 🟡 🟡 and 🟡 🟡
4 and 2
How confident do you feel with MORE, LESS, and EQUAL?
🌟 Super Star!
👍 Getting There!
🤝 Need Practice
More or Less Champions • Lesson 2 Exit Ticket Page 1 of 1
More or Less Answer Key Teacher Resource • Solutions & Scoring
More or Less Answer Key
Lesson 2 Assessment Key
Target Mastery: 80%+
Student Packet Solutions (Pages 1 & 2)
Problem 1: Basket Comparison Correct
Basket A: 7 carrots • Basket B: 3 carrots
Answer: Basket B has LESS carrots than Basket A.
Problem 2: Muffin Trays Correct
Tray 1: 4 muffins • Tray 2: 4 muffins
Answer: The two trays are EQUAL.
Problem 3: Button Jars Correct
Jar A: 8 buttons • Jar B: 3 buttons
Answer: Circle Jar B (3 is less than 8).
Problems 4 & 5 Correct
P4: Student draws 5 dots in Box 2 to match Box 1.
P5: Circle 9 (9 is more than 6).
Exit Ticket Solutions
Item 1 (Cars): Set 1 has 5 cars, Set 2 has 2 cars. Answer: Set 1 has MORE cars than Set 2. Item 2 (Equal Pair): Option A has 3 and 3 (equal). Option B has 4 and 2. Answer: Circle Option A.
Language Scaffolds for Diverse Learners
ELL / Dual-Language Support: Pair Spanish / native cognates: More = Más , Less = Menos , Equal = Igual . Keep tactile dual cards on student desks during independent work.
Verbal Expression Hesitation: Allow students to point to pre-printed word cards ("MORE", "LESS", "EQUAL") while vocalizing the first letter sound or pointing to their chosen answer.
More or Less Champions • Lesson 2 Teacher Key Page 1 of 1
Number Comparison Lesson Plan Lesson 3 Teacher Guide • Abstract Level
Number Comparison Lesson Plan
Target: Special Education K-2 / Tier 2-3
Duration: 35-45 Minutes
Learning Objective
Students will compare two written numerals (up to 20) and correctly insert the relational symbols > (greater than), < (less than), or = (equal to).
The 3 Symbols
• > Greater Than (mouth opens left)
• < Less Than (point aims left)
• = Equal To (two level bars)
Memory Anchor
2-Dot / 1-Dot Method: Put 2 dots next to the bigger number and 1 dot next to the smaller number. Connect the dots to form the symbol!
1 The "Chomping Alligator" & "Two-Dot" Scaffold (10 Mins)
Direct Instruction
Show "Al the Alligator": "Al is super hungry! He always turns his big open mouth to eat the BIGGER number." Then introduce the fail-safe SPED trick: "Find the bigger number. Put 2 dots beside it. Find the smaller number. Put 1 dot beside it. Connect the dots: it makes the symbol automatically!"
2 Number Line Modeling & Whiteboard Guided Practice (12 Mins)
Guided Practice
Provide desk number lines (0-20). Call out two numbers: 9 and 14. Students place fingers on both numbers. The number further to the right is bigger. Students draw the symbol on small whiteboards using the 2-dot method. Practice 8 > 3, 5 < 11, and 7 = 7.
3 Independent Student Packet & Station Routine (15 Mins)
Application
Students transition to the Number Comparison Student Packet . Highlighters can be used to highlight the larger number before drawing the symbol in the designated center circle.
SPED Differentiation & Tactile Anchors
• Tactile Alligator Popsicle Sticks: Provide craft sticks glued into V-shapes with green teeth so students can physically rotate the mouth before drawing.
• Number Line Touch Points: Students with dyscalculia or visual tracking difficulties track left-to-right on a tactile raised-line 0-20 ruler.
More or Less Champions • Lesson 3 Teacher Guide Page 1 of 1
Number Comparison Slides Math Champions • Lesson 3
Abstract Comparison
Number Comparison
Meet our comparison symbols: > (Greater Than), < (Less Than), and = (Equal To)!
The Alligator Always Chomp-Chomps the Bigger Number!
Slide 1 of 4
Secret Trick
The 2-Dot & 1-Dot Method
STRATEGY
1
Find the Bigger
Put 2 DOTS next to the bigger number.
8 • •
2
Find the Smaller
Put 1 DOT next to the smaller number.
• 3
3
Connect the Dots!
Draw lines connecting the dots together.
8 > 3
It works every single time! The open mouth always eats the bigger number!
Model 1: Greater Than
Compare 14 and 9
I DO
14 Bigger! (2 dots)
>
9 Smaller (1 dot)
Chant Together: "14 is GREATER THAN 9!"
Model 2: Less Than & Equal
Two More Practice Checks!
WE DO
6
<
11
6 is LESS THAN 11
10
=
10
10 is EQUAL TO 10
You are ready for the Number Comparison Packet!
Number Comparison Packet Lesson 3 • Student Practice
Number Comparison Packet
Name:
Date:
Quick Symbol Helper
2 dots on the BIG number • 1 dot on the SMALL number • Connect them!
> Greater
< Less
= Equal
Example: Compare 7 and 3
7
>
3 (7 is greater than 3)
Write >, <, or = inside each circle:
Problem 1
8
5
8 is ___ 5
Problem 2
4
9
4 is ___ 9
Problem 3
6
6
6 is ___ 6
Problem 4
12
10
12 is ___ 10
More or Less Champions • Number Comparison Page 1 of 2
Independent Practice
Number Line Showdown
Lesson 3 Practice
Reference Number Line (Numbers increase to the right →)
02468101214161820
Write >, <, or = in each circle:
15
18
19
14
11
11
13
7
Problem 8: Which math statement is TRUE?
16 < 9
16 > 9
16 = 9
More or Less Champions • Number Comparison Page 2 of 2
Number Comparison Exit Ticket Quick Check • Lesson 3
Number Comparison Exit Ticket
Name:
Date:
Choose the correct symbol to make each sentence true:
> < =
1 Compare:
13
8
13 is ___ 8
2 Compare:
7
14
7 is ___ 14
3 Compare:
10
10
10 is ___ 10
How do you feel about using >, <, and = symbols?
🐊 Alligator Pro!
👍 Almost There!
🆘 Need Help
More or Less Champions • Lesson 3 Exit Ticket Page 1 of 1
Number Comparison Answer Key Teacher Resource • Solutions & Scoring
Number Comparison Answer Key
Lesson 3 Assessment Key
Target Mastery: 80%+
Student Packet Solutions (Pages 1 & 2)
Page 1: Guided Problems
• Problem 1: 8 > 5 (8 is greater than 5)
• Problem 2: 4 < 9 (4 is less than 9)
• Problem 3: 6 = 6 (6 is equal to 6)
• Problem 4: 12 > 10 (12 is greater than 10)
Page 2: Independent Practice
• Problem 5a: 15 < 18
• Problem 5b: 19 > 14
• Problem 6a: 11 = 11
• Problem 6b: 13 > 7
• Problem 8: 16 > 9 is TRUE
Exit Ticket Solutions
Item 1 13 > 8
Item 2 7 < 14
Item 3 10 = 10
Common SPED Misconception: Symbol Reversal
Symptom: Student reverses > and < despite knowing which number is bigger
Intervention: Reinforce the 2-Dot strategy . Have the student draw two physical green dots right next to the bigger number and one small dot next to the smaller number before connecting them. This eliminates spatial direction memory fatigue.
Symptom: Difficulty comparing two-digit teen numbers (e.g. 15 vs 18)
Intervention: Use base-ten blocks (one rod and units) so the student can visibly compare the ones place side-by-side.
More or Less Champions • Lesson 3 Teacher Key Page 1 of 1
