Scripture: Genesis 15-17
Learning Objectives:
- Students will review the story of Abraham, God’s Promises and Ishmael.
- Students will learn God promised Abraham he would have more descendants than the stars in the sky.
- Students will learn how to compare two numbers and use the >, < and = signs properly.
- Students will participate in an activity to practice using >, < and = signs properly when comparing two numbers.
Guiding Question: How can we compare two numbers and use the mathematical signs >, < and = to share what we learned?
Materials: enough stars (stickers or cut outs) for each pair of students to have twenty to forty stars, a set of three index cards for each team with >, < and = each on a separate card
Procedure: Review the story of Abraham, God’s promises to him and Hagar and Ishmael. Explain to students one of God’s promises to Abraham was that Abraham would have more descendants than there are stars in the sky. Introduce students to the signs >, < and =. Explain that the opening in the greater than and less than signs always points towards the larger number (It’s “hungry” and wants “to eat” the most “food”.) Divide students into pairs. Have them take turns creating two piles of stars. The other student must choose the appropriate sign to place between the two piles of stars. Spot check the students as they are working to correct any issues the students may be having with the concept.
Additional Questions:
- Can you use the same signs >, < and = to compare fractions and/or decimals?
Supplemental Activity: Have more advanced students play the same game only using fractions and/or decimals for numbers to compare. (Note: students must have a basic understanding of fractions and/or decimals in order to complete this activity.)