Unequal Sign

Pan Balance Scale

 

• This activity is done in pairs.


• Each student takes a handful of counters.


• Students place the counters on opposite sides of the scale. Students need to count them as they are placed on the scale.


• Students should be able to visualize if the equation is equal or not equal, based on the balance scale.


• Each student needs to record the equation in their math journal. (Example: Student one places 7 counters on one side of the scale. Student two places 9 counters on the other side of the scale. Both students should record 7≠9 in their math journal.)

Let's Prove It

• This activity is done in pairs.


• Each pair needs one paper Pan Balance Scale, counters, equal/unequal sign tent, and two dice.


• Student one rolls both dice, adds the numbers together, and places that many counters on their side of the paper pan balance scale.


• Student two does the same for their side.


• Together they place the equal/unequal sign tent appropriately in the middle of the paper scale to show if the sides are balanced.


• Both students record the equation in their journal.


• Example : Student one rolls a 5 and a 3. The student places 8 counters on one side of the scale. Student two rolls a 7and a 2. Student two places 9 counters on the other side of the scale. Both students place the tent sign to show unequal ≠. Both students record 8≠9 in their math journals.

 

Judging Sentences

• This activity is done in pairs.


• Each pair needs one cup with number tiles, and two recording sheets, Equal -Not Equal.


• Student One draws two number tiles from the cup. BOTH students record those numbers as the first two addends on their recording sheet.


• Student Two draws two number tiles from the cup. BOTH students record the numbers as the last two addends on the first equation.


• Both students add the numbers and fill in the appropriate =, ≠sign in the middle.


• Students continue until all 10 equations have been completed.

Equal Speed

• This game is played in pairs.


• Each pair has one deck of phase 10 /Face cards, one ≠ sign card, and two = sign cards.


• Players divide the cards into two piles. One pile for each player.


• The ≠ sign card is placed in the center.


• Each player holds an = sign card in their hand.


• Students simultaneously flip the top card from their pile. Students continue until they flip numbers that are equal or the same. When this happens, the first student to place their =sign card on top of the ≠sign card is the winner.


• Wins can be recorded with tally marks in their math journals.


• When students come to the end of their pile of cards, simply have them shuffle and re-deal into two piles and continue play.

 

Domino Draw

• This game is played in pairs.


• Each pair has one bag of dominos, one ≠ sign card, and two = sign cards.


• Players place the ≠sign card in the center.


• Each player holds an =sign card in their hand.


• Player one and player two both draw a domino at the same time. Using the domino, they complete the subtraction problem and then look at their partners domino and complete that subtraction problem. Students continue drawing dominos and subtracting until both domino subtraction problems equal the same number. When this happens, the first student to place their =sign card on top of the ≠ sign card is the winner.


• Wins can be recorded with tally marks in their math journals.


• If students run out of dominos simply have them place them back in the bag and continue play.


• Note: This game can also be played using addition.