Comparing Bigger and Smaller

Kindergarten Math, ESL

by Lily Jones February 24, 2017

Kindergarteners love talking about how big they are! Help them develop a stronger understanding of big and
small in this engaging measurement lesson.

Learning Objectives

Students will compare objects based on their size.

Materials and preparation Key terms

Chart paper or whiteboard compare

Paper bigger
Pencils smaller
Class set of Animals Big and Small
Class set of Trees Big and Small

Attachments

Animals Big and Small (PDF)

Trees Big and Small (PDF)

Introduction (5 minutes)

Draw circles of two different sizes on the board. Ask, “Which is bigger?”
Have students turn and talk to a partner about which circle is bigger.
EL

Beginning

Provide definitions of big and small in student home language (L1).

Have students point to the item they believe is bigger.

Intermediate

Provide the sentence frame, "I think ____ is bigger because ____."

Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling (10 minutes)

Explain that the bigger circle is bigger because it takes up more space. Tell the class that they compared
objects by deciding which was bigger and which was smaller.
Say, “Big and small are opposites. When you compare objects to decide which is bigger or smaller, you
think about how much space the objects take up.”
Draw two stars of different sizes. Have students share which star they think is smaller. Then draw four
additional stars. Ask students which star they think is the biggest and which star they think is the
smallest.

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EL

Beginning

Display physical objects to show big vs. small to the students.

As you explain opposites, provide additional examples (dark/light, tall/short, etc).

Intermediate

Have students turn and talk to a partner to share which star is the biggest.

Guided Practice (10 minutes)

Hand out paper to students. Tell them that they should draw two objects of different sizes on the paper.
When they are done, have students trade their papers with a partner and circle the biggest object on the
page.
EL

Beginning

Provide direction as to what kind of object to draw (e.g., "Draw two squares, one big and one small").

Intermediate

Ask students to tell their partner which is bigger using the sentence frame, "I think ____ is bigger because
____."

Independent working time (10 minutes)

Tell students that they are now going to practice comparing objects.
Hand out the Animals Big and Small and Trees Big and Small worksheets. Have students complete the
worksheets independently.
EL

Beginning

Work with a small group of students to complete the worksheet.

Intermediate

Pair students together to complete the worksheet.

Related books and/or media

Find interactive books for each child’s level.

Differentiation

Support:

Have students work with a partner to complete the worksheet.

Enrichment:

Have students draw groups of objects and put them in order from smallest to largest.

Assessment (5 minutes)

Assess students’ understanding by having them share their answers to the worksheets out loud. Reinforce the

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concepts of bigger, smaller, and comparison.

EL

Beginning

In a small group setting, take note of any students who are unable to differentiate between big/small.

Intermediate

Ask students to make a big and small block tower. Have students point to the small tower to assess if
they can accurately compare big vs. small.

Review and closing

(Same as assessment.)

EL

Beginning

Complete a quick assessment by holding up two objects and ask them to point to the bigger object.

Intermediate

Hold up two objects. Have students turn and talk to share with a partner which is smaller and how they
know.

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Animals Big & Small
Circle the animals that are bigger.

Circle the animals that are smaller.

Copyright © 2017 Education.com LLC All Rights Reserved

More worksheets at www.education.com/worksheets
 Trees Big & Small
Circle the trees that are bigger.

Circle the trees that are smaller.

Copyright © 2017 Education.com LLC All Rights Reserved

More worksheets at www.education.com/worksheets