Comparison built on place value reasoning, with the alligator as the hook: a shaded box explains that the hungry alligator always chomps the bigger number. Students first compare numbers described in words, like 4 tens and 2 ones against 2 tens and 9 ones, then write >, < or = between numerals such as 24 and 42, and finish as number detectives deciding whether Leo's 54 marbles beat Maya's 45 and writing any number between 62 and 68.
1.NBT.2
“Understand that the two digits of a two-digit number represent amounts of tens and ones. Understand the following as special cases: 10 can be thought of as a bundle of ten ones - called a "ten." The numbers from 11 to 19 are composed of a ten and one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or nine ones. The numbers 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 refer to one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or nine tens (and O ones).”
Part 1 phrases each number as tens and ones before showing the numeral, so the comparison rests on bundle counts, not digit appearance.
1.NBT.3
“Compare two two-digit numbers based on meanings of the tens and ones digits, recording the results of comparisons with the symbols >, =, and <.”
Every part records comparisons with >, < and =, including the 70 = 70 equality the symbol set needs.
An alligator illustration and a boxed reminder introduce > and < as the chomping mouth that always faces the bigger number.
Comparisons phrased in place value language first: 4 tens and 2 ones ______ 2 tens and 9 ones, with the numerals (42 and 29) printed small underneath. The set includes the equals case 70 = 70.
Bare numeral pairs with a box for the symbol, starting 24 ______ 42 and 67 ______ 63.
Question 11 compares Leo's 54 marbles with Maya's 45 in words; question 12 asks for a number greater than 62 but less than 68.
Digit-swap pairs first
Start marking at 24 versus 42. Same digits in the opposite order is where place value understanding shows or fails.
Question 12 has many answers
Any of 63 through 67 works. Collect a few and list them on the board; the range idea is a free preview of number lines.
Retire the alligator eventually
The chomping mouth earns its keep now, but push students to say 'greater than' when reading answers back, so the crutch fades.
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