Crocodile Numbers: a fun, hands-on resource for comparing numbers to 20
These crocodile number cards and worksheets are a fun and engaging way for kindergarten-aged children to work on comparing numbers.
So I must admit that this ‘Crocodile numbers’ resource is one of my favourites.
Not only are the jolly crocodile characters always a winner, but these number cards make for a really fun and interactive way for young children to build number sense.
This resource is also a really nice way of introducing the greater than, less than and equals math symbols.
In this post, I’m going to show you what’s included in this resource and give you lots of ideas for how you could use this set of cards and worksheets with your own child at home or, if you’re a teacher, with a small focused math group in the classroom.
What’s included in this resource?
This resource is made up of 2 parts: a set of number cards and a set of worksheets.
Part 1: number and ‘crocodile’ cards
The first part is a set of number cards and math symbol cards to be used as a hands-on math activity.
These cards are great to use either with a child one-on-one or with a small group of children working with an adult.
There are four sets of number cards. Each set of cards shows the numbers 0 to 20 represented in different ways: as numerals, in word form, as base ten blocks and as ten frames.
There are also math symbol cards: +, -,<,> and = cards as well as two ‘crocodile’ picture cards for < and > and also a big green equals sign.
Part 2: comparing numbers worksheets
The second part of this resource consists of eight worksheets. These worksheets are no prep – just print and you’re ready to go.
The first three worksheets are cut and paste activities and focus on the following areas:
- Activity 1: comparing numbers 1 to 10
- Activity 2: comparing numbers 11 to 20
- Activity 3: comparing numbers 1 to 20 shown with base ten blocks
For each of these worksheet, cut out the crocodile symbols and glue them in the correct place to complete the number sentences:
To complete the final five worksheets, you have to write the correct symbol (<, > or =) in the boxes to complete each number sentence.
These worksheets focus on the following areas:
- Activity 4: comparing numbers 1 – 10 shown as ten frames
- Activity 5: comparing numbers 10 – 20 shown as ten frames
- Activity 6: comparing numbers 1 to 10 shown as both numerals and ten frames
- Activity 7: comparing numbers 10 to 20 shown as both numerals and ten frames
- Activity 8: comparing numbers 10 to 20 shown as base ten blocks and numerals
How do I use this resource?
There are lots of different things you can do with this resource.
Let’s start with some ideas for using the number and crocodile cards:
1. Compare numbers using the ‘greater than’ and ‘less than’ crocodiles
Start by picking two number cards (shown here in yellow). Ask your child to pick the correct crocodile card to complete the number sentence.
Remember to remind your child that the crocodile is always HUNGRY, so it eats the BIGGER number.
You can start off just using numbers 0 to 10 and then start to include the teen numbers when your child is ready.
2. Compare different types of number cards
You can use the different types of number card to make lots of different number sentences.
Ten frames are a great place to start. Grab the equals sign and pick a number card (in the example below we have 7). Help your child to find the ten frame picture that completes the equation. Here we would need the ten frame that shows 7.
This is a great opportunity to talk about the equals sign. Think of it like a balance. The value on either side of the equals sign needs to be the same.
Related post: Crocodile Clip Cards for comparing numbers to 20
3. Right or wrong?
Make a number sentence with the crocodile cards. Ask you children to give you a thumbs up or a thumbs down to say whether your number sentence is correct or not.
You can always then swap over and get your child making some number sentence which you then have to give a thumbs up or down to (your child will enjoy testing your math capabilities…)
4. Finish the number sentences (how many ways are there?!)
This time, instead of picking two number cards, pick one number card and one crocodile card. So, for example here we have 9 shown in base ten blocks and the ‘greater than’ crocodile.
Help your child to find a number card that would correctly complete the number sentence. In this case there would be many cards that you could choose (any numbers 8 or less).
If feeling enthusiastic, you could even sort a handful of number cards into two piles – numbers that could correctly finish the number sentence and ones that wouldn’t.
Related post: Butterfly numbers 1 to 10
What about the worksheets?
The worksheets work best as a follow up activity after you have built number sentences with the crocodile cards.
If you’re using these with a class of students, there are 8 different activities to choose from. Some focus on numbers to 10 whilst some cover numbers to 20. Simply choose the worksheets that work best for each child.
These worksheets feature the same crocodile pictures from the number cards. On the later worksheets, when your child fills in the box with a < or > symbol, you may find that they want to draw an actual crocodile in the box, not just the boring old symbol (my kindergartener did!)
Where can I find this Crocodile numbers resource?
You can find these crocodile numbers math cards and worksheets in both the Math, Kids and Chaos online store, as well as in our TPT store.
Thanks for reading all about these crocodile numbers!
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