Rational numbers sound so scary to 6th graders but it isn’t as complicated as they’re all telling themselves. Students need to understand rational numbers before they can move onto irrational numbers. Comparing and ordering rational numbers is going to be a new standard to 6th graders, but you can teach it in a meaningful and memorable way!
One of the most frustrating parts of being a math teacher is when students can’t retain information you’ve taught. I can’t count how many times I’ve taught a lesson and the next day my students act like they’ve never heard of absolute value or long division or whatever the previous lesson was on. We want to make your life easier and provide you with options for teaching, differentiation, assessing, and more!
Math is my favorite subject to teach and I enjoy teaching math to older grades because the standards become more and more complex. The one thing that can be frustrating is the lack of online resources to use with higher grade standards…until now! If you do a Google search for “counting coins activity” you’re going to get so many great quality resources to pick from. But don’t worry- I’ve done the work for you so you can pick from this list of 10 activities to use when working on comparing and ordering rational numbers.
Take a few minutes to scan through our list below and see what jumps out at you. I promise you’re going to find quality resources in a few minutes. That sounds a lot better than clicking on 20+ links on Pinterest.
Activities:
- Comparing and Ordering Rational Numbers Maze
- Task Cards: Comparing, Ordering, and Absolute Value
- Comparing & Ordering Rational Numbers Knockout Game
- Escape Room: Comparing, Ordering, and Absolute Value
- Comparing Rational Numbers Riddle
- Nearpod: Comparing Rational Numbers
- Shmoop Video: Rational and Irrational Numbers (Spanish version)
- MathGames.com: Put Rational Numbers in Order, Compare Rational Numbers, Absolute Value of Rational Numbers
- Kahoot: Compare Rational Numbers
- Quizizz: Order Rational Numbers
Comparing and Ordering Rational Numbers Maze
Our mazes are always a great resource to use because you can choose how the activity will be used in your classroom. This set comes with three different types of mazes: ordering rational numbers, comparing numbers using inequalities, and comparing numbers on a number line. Students will be asked a specific question about rational numbers and their answer will direct them to the next question.
I like to use these mazes throughout my rational numbers unit. Each one is unique and assesses students on a different skill. They’re a great bell work, but I really like using this specific set as a formative assessment to make sure all of my students understand what I’m teaching. (read more about teaching with math mazes here)
Task Cards: Comparing, Ordering, and Absolute Value Task Cards
My first few years of teaching I became obsessed with task cards. I would take problems from a worksheet and turn them into cards so my students could get up and move around the room while working. This set of task cards covers comparing, ordering, and the absolute value of rational numbers.
The first four problems go over vocabulary that is vital for mastering this particular standard. Then we have four comparing problems and four ordering problems. Problems 13-24 continue assessing students on the same skills, but they are written as word problems. You can use these cards in groups, stations, or a whole class activity. The answer key has an explanation for each problem if you want to have students check their own work.
Comparing & Ordering Rational Numbers Knockout Game
Knockout games always seem to be a class favorite, no matter the topic or grade! You present this resource through PowerPoint by easily projecting it onto a board or screen. All you need to prepare is a student record sheet and what you’re going to give the winning team!
This dinosaur theme knockout game asks students to compare and order rational numbers in a variety of ways. Students have to compare using inequalities, identify which number is largest on a number line, and order rational numbers. This is a range of questions, but students are still being assessed on their understanding of rational numbers.
Escape Room: Comparing, Ordering, and Absolute Value Escape Room
I’ve never known a student during my career who didn’t enjoy an escape room challenge, even if math was involved. Our escape rooms are a digital resource that can be used in your classroom. Built in Google SlidesTM it provides your students with a fun and creative way to continue practicing with rational numbers.
The first puzzle requires students to use their knowledge of absolute value to solve six word problems. Next, students have to compare five pairs of numbers to create the next passcode. The final puzzle has students put six numbers in order from least to greatest. The last slide is a reflection for students to complete based on their experience with the challenge. Students can pick the prompt to answer and are encouraged to use math vocabulary.
Have you tried a digital math escape room yet? Teachers & students rave about them! To see what all the fuss is about, click the link below, drop your email, and we’ll send you this FREE digital math escape room!
This escape room is built in Google Slides and has 3 puzzles- one for combining like terms, one for distributive property, and the final one for solving 2-step equations. Grab yours today!
Comparing Rational Numbers Riddle
No matter how little or much you use me you change me every month. Do you know what I am?
Our comparing rational numbers riddle will grab your classes’ attention, wanting to know what this mystery item is. Each riddle in our set has eight problems for students to solve and then they can correctly spell the answer.
The first riddle, in this set of two, has students comparing numbers. I’d recommend reviewing the vocabulary words “least” and “greatest”, especially if you have ELL students in your class. The next riddle uses a number line and fruit to ask questions about comparing rational numbers. When students answer all eight questions correctly, they see the answer to the question: “What do you get when you cross a cow and a lawnmower?”
Nearpod: Comparing Rational Numbers
Nearpod is a fantastic place to look for lessons, but you can also find great games and reviews other teachers have already put together. You can create a free account and have students follow along with you on a device. Make sure you’re logged into your account before you click on this resource link. You can make a copy of the slides and edit them however you see fit.
Cathy Yenen made this Nearpod about comparing rational numbers. You can easily assign this as student-paced for students who don’t need any assistance with this standard and go through a teacher-paced presentation with a small group. In this slideshow, you have access to a quick review, an entry ticket, open-ended questions, ordering rational numbers with a number line, and a seven question quiz. There are endless combinations and situations where you could use this with your math students!
Shmoop Video: Rational and Irrational Numbers (Spanish version)
Videos are a great way to introduce a new topic to students, especially if it is fun and short. Shmoop created an engaging video that explains the difference between rational and irrational numbers. I really like the animations used to explain these math vocabulary words.
I’d use this video at the beginning of my unit to make sure students understand what a rational number is. I want all my students to have a strong knowledge of our vocabulary words so they can be successful as they work through the math. Shmoop has an English and a Spanish version of this particular video, which makes me love it even more!
MathGames.com: Put Rational Numbers in Order, Compare Rational Numbers, Absolute Value of Rational Numbers
Finding math games related to specific skills is always a win in my book. Mathgames.com has lots of games for students to play while still strengthening their understanding of particular standards. I like using online games for students who finish early or as an incentive for defiant students. You’d be surprised by how motivated students become when you tell them they can go onto mathgames.com.
Keep in mind that mathgames always has the same questions, in the same order. Make sure you plan to use these games in a way that students only need to get on once. I think these games make easy-to-use stations. I love that the teacher doesn’t have to do any prep, but students are still working hard.
There are a bundle of standard-related games on this website. Put Rational Numbers in Order has three levels of questions. Students have to move tiles around to put the rational numbers in order from least to greatest. Compare Rational Numbers has four levels of questions using inequalities to compare rational numbers. Finally, Absolute Value of Rational Numbers has a multiple choice and short answer questions within three levels of question about absolute value.
Kahoot: Compare Rational Numbers
Kahoot.com has thousands of creative quizzes that you can easily access with a free account. Students need a device to play on and then they’re ready to go. I like using Kahoot as a quick assessment to see where my class is as a whole. If you want to use this quiz as a grade, I highly recommend you have students type their actual name when they log in.
In this ten question quiz, students compare rational numbers in a variety of ways. Some problems have students identify an equivalent decimal to a fraction, identify the correct order of rational numbers, and pick the correct meaning of a vocabulary word. This is a great pre-test to see what your students already know about rational numbers. You could then give a post-test and show students how much they learned and grew throughout the unit.
Quizizz: Order Rational Numbers
Quizizz is an online quiz website where you can create your own assessments or assign already made quizzes to your students. This website is a great way to save paper but still get strong data from your students. I’m all about killing two birds (or more) with one stone.
This particular Quizizz has 20 ordering rational numbers questions. Each question is multiple choice with four answers to pick from. You could assign this to individual students, pairs or groups, or use these questions for a fun class game. Because the questions are already created, you can use them however you want in your math room.
Comparing and Ordering New Resources
I hope this list of resources and activities has been helpful as you continue to plan for your rational numbers unit. Pick your favorite resource you came across on this list and find a place for it in your scope and sequence. There are so many additional great resources on each website I referred to. I hope you’re able to rely on these links as you continue throughout the year and your career!
Thanks so much for reading. Until next time!
