Activity Overview
Groups of 4 to 5 students follow teacher prompts to enter one part of a number (ex: 6 thousands),
and then the next student adds the next part until the entire number
is built, one digit at a time. Self-checking!
Before the Activity
Make sure students know the names and places of each place value term: ones, tens, thousandths, etc.
During the Activity
Place students in groups of 4 or 5, with one calculator per group.
Select a number with 6 to 8 digits, say 73, 402.65, and write it down.
Have Student A in each group enter the first number by saying "enter 3 thousands."
Student A enters and hands the calculator to Student B.
Student B follows these directions: "Add 7 ten thousands."
Teacher says to student C - "Add 5 hundredths."
Continue until all digits have been called out and entered.
Teacher should check to see if the number on the calculator is correct.
Then clear calculators and play again with another number.
After the Activity
Review student answers:
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary