Comparing numbers 1-20 firefly activities that light up your math centers! This glowing collection of firefly themed digital and printable activities helps kindergarten and early 1st grade learners practice greater than, less than, equal to and one more or one less as they build number sense and confidence.

With both digital and printable options included, you can support a wide range of learning settings, from classrooms and distance learning to homeschool, special education and early intervention groups. Children compare jars of fireflies, sort comparison symbols and solve worksheets with a bright nighttime theme.

With these firefly comparing numbers activities, you get

• 4 Google Slides decks and 4 Seesaw decks for digital practice
• Printable worksheets for practice, assessment or center work
• Greater than, less than and equal to practice with the <, > and = symbols
• One more and one less practice with numbers up to 20
• Firefly jars that make comparing quantities easy to see

Assign a deck or print a page and let the fireflies glow!

What's Included

Digital Activities (Google Slides and Seesaw)

• 4 Google Slides decks
• 4 Seesaw decks
• Links to the digital decks are included in the PDF download
• Firefly-filled jars for students to compare quantities visually
• Symbol sorters (<, >, =) to complete number sentences
• Clickable checkmarks to show which jar or number is greater

Printable Worksheets

• One More, One Less: Fill in the missing numbers before and after.
• True or False Sorting Mats: Decide if comparison statements are correct.
• More or Less Worksheets: Fill in the correct symbol and solve.
• Comparing Numbers: Fill in one more or one less using teen numbers.
• Which Has More?: Identify the greater of two numbers or quantities with firefly jars.

Print in black and white to save ink and let kids color for added fun!

Why Teachers Love It

• Digital and printable in one: Use the same skills in class, at home or for distance learning.
• Ready to assign: Share a Google Slides or Seesaw deck with a single link.
• Concrete to symbolic: Firefly jars let children see quantities before they compare numerals with symbols.
• Teen number practice: Activities include numbers up to 20, so children get practice with tricky teen numbers.
• Flexible use: Worksheets work for practice, assessment or hands-on center work.
• Ink friendly: Print the worksheets in black and white and let children color them.

Skills Students Practice

Primary Academic Skills

• Number comparison: Children compare two numbers using greater than, less than and equal to in digital and printable formats.
• Symbol recognition: Repeated practice with the <, > and = symbols builds quick identification and use.
• One more and one less: Fill-in-the-blank tasks help children find the numbers that come before and after.
• Comparing quantities: Firefly jars connect groups of objects to numbers.
• Teen number fluency: Children work with numbers up to 20.
• Reasoning: True or false sorting mats ask children to check whether a comparison statement is correct.

Secondary Life & Learning Skills

• Following directions
• Working independently
• Using mathematical language
• Making and checking predictions
• Maintaining attention
• Building confidence

How to Use It

Step 1: Open the PDF download to find the links to the Google Slides and Seesaw decks. Print the worksheets you need. Laminate printable cards for reuse with dry erase markers.

Step 2: Model comparing two firefly jars with the whole group. Use the words greater than, less than and equal to as you show each symbol.

Step 3: Assign the digital decks with a single link and place the worksheets in your math centers. Store worksheets in binders or folders by skill for easy access.

Materials You'll Need

• Google Slides or Seesaw for the digital decks
• Dry erase markers (for laminated cards)
• Crayons (optional, for coloring the worksheets)

Easy Differentiation

Children come to comparing numbers with very different levels of number sense. These activities are easy to adjust for each learner.

For Children Who Need More Support

• Start with the firefly jars so children can see and count each quantity
• Count the fireflies in each jar together before choosing which has more
• Focus on one symbol at a time
• Use a number line for one more and one less

For On-Level Practice

• Complete the More or Less worksheets with the correct symbol
• Use the True or False Sorting Mats in a math center
• Assign one digital deck each week
• Say each comparison aloud as a full number sentence

For an Extra Challenge

• Work with teen numbers on the Comparing Numbers worksheets
• Explain why a true or false statement is correct
• Write new comparison sentences for a partner to check
• Complete the digital decks independently

For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support

• Practice the words greater, less and equal with picture support
• Use a short language frame such as "___ is greater than ___."
• Use the digital decks for children who find writing difficult
• Have children point to the jar with more when writing is hard
• Give extra processing time and model each step first

Perfect For

• Kindergarten and 1st grade math centers
• Small groups
• Distance learning
• Independent practice
• Assessment
• Early finishers
• Intervention and special education
• ELL support
• Homeschool

Standards

These firefly comparing numbers activities support kindergarten and 1st grade math standards in Common Core, the TEKS (Math, adopted 2012) and the Virginia Math SOL (2023):

Common Core State Standards

• CCSS K.CC.C.6: Tell whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than or equal to the number in another group, as with the firefly jars.
• CCSS K.CC.C.7: Compare two numbers between 1 and 10 written as numerals.
• CCSS 1.NBT.B.3: Compare two two-digit numbers based on the tens and ones digits, recording with >, = and <.

Texas TEKS

• TEKS Math K.2.G: Compare sets of objects up to at least 20 in each set using comparative language.
• TEKS Math K.2.H: Use comparative language to describe two numbers up to 20 presented as written numerals.
• TEKS Math 1.2.G: Represent the comparison of two numbers using the symbols >, < or =.

Virginia SOL

• VA SOL Math K.NS.2.f: Compare two sets of objects or pictures using the terms more, fewer or the same as.
• VA SOL Math K.NS.2.g: Compare numbers using greater than, less than or the same as.
• VA SOL Math 1.NS.2: Compare two numbers using greater than, less than or equal to.

Add the Comparing Numbers 1-20 Firefly Theme Digital and Printable Activities to your cart and have glowing comparing practice ready for centers, small groups and distance learning. Assign, print and watch your learners compare numbers with confidence!

Download Details

Please note: This is a digital download that will be available to you directly after purchase. Nothing will be mailed to you.

You will receive a link to the download in three places

1. On the 'thank you' page after checkout
2. In your email
3. Login on the site here: https://lifeovercsstore.com/account