Classroom · Greater than and less than · Kindergarten and 1st grade

Comparing numbers to 20 worksheets

Q: How do you teach comparing numbers to 20?

Numbers from 11 to 20 are one ten and some ones. Compare the ones when both numbers have one ten: 17 > 14 because 7 is more than 4. Any teen number is greater than a number from 0 to 9. Put a strip of numbers from 0 to 20 on the table. Children point to both numbers; the one farther along is greater.

A free five-page pack for Kindergarten and 1st grade: learn to compare numbers to 20 with >, < and =, with a worked example, practice pages, word problems and an answer key.

Download the comparing numbers to 20 pack(5 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Watch it solved

51 sec · with voice and captions

A pencil works one example of each activity, so you can see how the worksheet goes before you print it. Tap a step to jump to it. The rest of the sheet is left for your child to finish.

Read what the video says

0:00 Let's practice comparing numbers to 20, step by step.
0:04 Numbers from 11 to 20 are one ten and some ones. When both numbers have one ten, compare the ones: 17 > 14.
0:14 17 > 8. The open side faces the bigger number, 17.
0:21 12 < 16. The open side faces the bigger number, 16.
0:27 Write the numbers from least to greatest: 4, 5, 10, 14.
0:34 Word problems. Aisha picked 7 apples. Omar picked 14 apples. Who picked more? The answer is Omar, because 7 < 14.
0:45 Great job! Now print the free worksheet, and finish the rest on your own.

How to do it

Numbers from 11 to 20 are one ten and some ones. Compare the ones when both numbers have one ten: 17 > 14 because 7 is more than 4. Any teen number is greater than a number from 0 to 9.

Teaching tip

Put a strip of numbers from 0 to 20 on the table. Children point to both numbers; the one farther along is greater.

Try some

17 ? 8Tap to check17 > 8
10 ? 19Tap to check10 < 19
8 ? 5Tap to check8 > 5
4 ? 16Tap to check4 < 16
18 ? 20Tap to check18 < 20
1 ? 14Tap to check1 < 14
6 ? 20Tap to check6 < 20
13 ? 3Tap to check13 > 3

Word problems

Aisha picked 7 apples. Omar picked 14 apples. Who picked more?Show answer

Omar (7 < 14)

The red box holds 5 crayons and the blue box holds 18. Which box has fewer crayons?Show answer

the red box (5 < 18)

Omar has 14 stickers. Write a number of stickers that is greater than Omar's.Show answer

any number greater than 14, for example 15

Aisha counted 18 birds in the park. Omar counted 18 birds too. Write >, < or = to compare.Show answer

18 = 18

What the worksheets look like

Comparing numbers to 20 worksheet: learn the signs, then a first practice — Page 1: learn the signs, then a first practice

Comparing numbers to 20 worksheet: compare the numbers — Page 2: compare the numbers

Greater than and less than chart

The three signs with pictures and examples, to keep on the wall or the desk.

Template(1 page, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Common questions

How do you teach comparing numbers to 20?

Numbers from 11 to 20 are one ten and some ones. Compare the ones when both numbers have one ten: 17 > 14 because 7 is more than 4. Any teen number is greater than a number from 0 to 9. Put a strip of numbers from 0 to 20 on the table. Children point to both numbers; the one farther along is greater.

What grade learns comparing numbers to 20?

Usually Kindergarten and 1st grade. In the Common Core it is part of K.CC.C.7, 1.NBT.B.3.

Is there an answer key?

Yes. Page 5 has every answer from the pack and a short teaching tip.