L7 – WWW – Y2 Compare Numbers

Working Without Worksheets – Year 2 Lesson 7: Compare 2-Digit Numbers with Inequality Symbols Help your pupils master comparing numbers with this Working Without Worksheets lesson for Year 2 Place Value. Instead of worksheets, children use hands-on resources, structured reasoning questions, and independent book recording to compare 2-digit numbers using the symbols <, >, and =. The lesson begins with a starter recap, revisiting place value of tens and ones in 2-digit numbers. Pupils then use base ten equipment to build two different numbers, discussing which is greater or smaller. With teacher guidance, children are introduced to the inequality symbols and practise applying them in practical contexts using digit cards and place value charts. For independent work, pupils select pairs of 2-digit numbers, represent them, and record comparison sentences directly into their maths books using <, >, and =. A plenary with quick-fire questions consolidates fluency and reasoning. What’s Included in the Pack? ✔ Full teacher planning with objectives, activities, and plenary guidance ✔ Starter: recap tens and ones in 2-digit numbers ✔ Vocabulary focus: greater than, less than, equal to, compare, digit, value ✔ Practical task: build and compare 2-digit numbers using base ten and digit cards ✔ Independent activity: record comparisons in books using inequality symbols ✔ Plenary: reasoning and quick-fire questions to check understanding ✔ No worksheets—children record directly in their books Why Teachers Love This Resource: ✔ Hands-on and visual introduction to <, >, and = ✔ Reinforces place value understanding alongside comparison ✔ Encourages independence and neat book-based recording ✔ Worksheet-free: no photocopying required ✔ Ready-to-use slides and planning save time Curriculum Links (Year 2: Number and Place Value): This lesson supports pupils to: ✔ Compare and order numbers up to 100 using <, >, and = ✔ Recognise the place value of tens and ones in 2-digit numbers ✔ Develop