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Year 2

Compare and order lengths

I can compare and order lengths.

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New
New
Year 2

Compare and order lengths

I can compare and order lengths.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. When the units are the same, you can compare lengths in the same way as we compare 2-digit numbers.
  2. When the units are the same, you can order lengths in the same way as we order 2-digit numbers.
  3. When the units are different and the numbers are the same, you can compare lengths by looking at the unit.

Keywords

  • Compare - You compare to find out what is the same and what is different. You can compare numbers to find out if one is greater than or less than another.

  • Order - You can order numbers from the smallest to the largest or from the largest to the smallest. The order stays the same when you count.

Common misconception

Children may confuse the comparative language of taller, tallest, longer and longest.

Talk about the difference between longest and tallest. Collect examples together and label each object as tallest or longest to support children's understanding.

If children are not yet secure with inequality symbols, they would benefit from some additional practice before starting this lesson. It would be helpful if children have access to labelled number lines and Base 10 equipment to support their understanding of comparing two-digit numbers.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Order the lengths using < > or = 12 m ___ 20 m
Correct answer: <
>
=
Q2.
Order the unit of lengths using < > or = metres ___ centimetres
<
Correct answer: >
=
Q3.
Which standard unit of measure would be used for the height of a van?
An image in a quiz
centimetres
Correct answer: metres
Q4.
This crayon is cm long.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 8, eight
Q5.
The wardrobe is metres tall.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 2, two
Q6.
Alex threw the ball 5 __________.
An image in a quiz
centimetres
Correct answer: metres

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Complete the sentence. 48 metres is __________ 48 centimetres.
shorter than
the same as
Correct answer: longer than
Q2.
Which length is longer? Use < or > to compare. 15 cm ___ 13 cm
<
Correct answer: >
=
Q3.
Compare the lengths using < > or = 17 m ___ 71 m
Correct answer: <
>
=
Q4.
Order the lengths using < or > 63 cm ___ 36 cm
<
Correct answer: >
Q5.
An ash tree is 22 m tall. A silver birch tree is 17 m tall. An oak tree is shorter than the ash tree but taller than the silver birch tree. How tall could the oak tree be?
24 m
Correct answer: 19 m
Correct answer: 21 m
17 m
Q6.
Look at how far each of the children could kick a football. Order the children, starting with the one who kicked their ball the shortest distance.
An image in a quiz
1 - Sam
2 - Andeep
3 - Laura