The purpose of this activity is for students to interpret comparison symbols and compare two-digit numbers based on the value of the digits using drawings, numbers, or words. During the Launch, students notice and wonder about two related comparison statements that use symbols rather than words. The teacher creates a chart with the comparison statements and what the symbols mean in words. Students may use connecting cubes to build each number, the value of each number’s tens or ones place, or expressions that show the value of tens and ones to justify their reasoning. Students then circle the true comparison statement.

• Display and .
• Invite previously identified students to share.
• “We know that 21 is greater than 12. How do you remember which symbol represents greater than?” (I think about the part of the symbol with a greater amount of space being next to the greater number.)
• Display and .
• Invite students to share their thinking.
• “74 is less than 78. How do you know which symbols show this?” (The side of the symbols with less space between the lines is closer to 74.)

The purpose of this activity is for students to determine if comparison statements are true or false and explain why. In the previous activity, students focused on using their understanding of place value to determine if the symbols were facing the appropriate numbers. In this activity, students are encouraged to read the statements from left to right before determining whether the statement is true or false. Encourage students to use the display created in the previous activity to help them interpret the symbols and read the statements. If needed, remind students that the equal to symbol means “having the same value.”

• Display answers for students to check their work.
• Invite selected students to share their explanations for .
• “How can we change this statement so it is true?” ( )
• Read the new comparison statement.