Hungry Croc
Snap Up the Biggest Number!
There's a crocodile in the swamp, and it's looking for lunch! But this isn't any ordinary croc—it's a Maths Croc, and it only eats the biggest meal.
Hungry Croc is the classic teaching aid brought to life. It helps Year 1 and 2 children master the Greater Than (>), Less Than (<), and Equal To (=) symbols.
🐊 How to Play
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Assess the Meals Look at the two options. It might be groups of pineapples 🍍, or two numbers (like 15 and 29).
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Choose the Biggest Which side has MORE? Remember, the croc is greedy!
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Snap! Tap the bigger side. The croc's mouth will open towards it. If they are the same, it's an Equals (=) sign!
📚 Curriculum Focus (Place Value)
Hungry Croc teaches the comparison objectives for Key Stage 1:
- Comparing Quantities Identify, represent and estimate numbers using different representations (e.g., objects vs digits).
- Inequality Symbols Compare and order numbers from 0 up to 100; use <,> and = signs.
- Place Value Understand that in 24 vs 42, the '4' has a different value (4 tens vs 4 ones).
🧠 The Croc Mnemonic
Mathematical symbols can be abstract and confusing. The "Crocodile Mouth" is a globally recognised mnemonic because it works.
By animating this concept (the mouth physically snapping towards the bigger number), the rule "The mouth opens to the big one" becomes unforgettable.
👨👩👧 Dinner Time Comparisons
Greedy Croc Hands:
- Make a croc mouth with your hand.
- "Here are 5 chips. Here are 2 chips. Which one does the croc want?"
- CHOMP the big pile!
- "What if I have 3 chips and you have 3 chips?" (The mouth stays open = "Equal").
See you later, Alligator! (In a while, Crocodile!)
