Big and Small — Discovery Comparison
- Duration
- 15 minutes
- Preparation Time
- 5 minutes
- Group Size
- Small group
Learning Objective
Child selects the bigger or smaller of two objects when named
Materials Required
- Pairs of objects in clearly different sizes: large and small ball, large and small block, large and small cup
- Two labelled trays: BIG and SMALL
Teaching Steps
- 1
Which one is big? Can you show me the BIG one?
- 2
Which one is small? Find the SMALL one!
- 3
These two balls — which is bigger? Which is smaller?
- 4
Can you put all the big things on this tray?
- 5
Wow — that IS big! And this one is so small!
Questions to Ask
- Which one is big? Can you show me the BIG one?
- Which one is small? Find the SMALL one!
- These two balls — which is bigger? Which is smaller?
- Can you put all the big things on this tray?
- Wow — that IS big! And this one is so small!
Teacher Notes
Observe whether child consistently selects the correct object when big or small is named. Log: consistently correct / inconsistent / not yet.
Extension / Enrichment
Support: Use the child's own body: make yourself BIG — stretch up tall! Now make yourself SMALL — scrunch down tiny! Extend: Introduce three sizes: big, medium, small. Order three objects from smallest to biggest.
Assessment
Observe whether child consistently selects the correct object when big or small is named. Log: consistently correct / inconsistent / not yet.
Home Connection
At any meal: 'which is the big cup and which is the small cup? Can you give daddy the big spoon?' Household objects make the best mathematics.