Understanding the concept of 1,000 is a tough one for some children.
I find that laminating them gives them more durability and allows them to write on them with their dry-erase markers. This really helps them keep track of their counting!
I thought I'd share some of the things the little ones can do with this number grid.
1. Talk about the patterns
Understanding the patterns of numbers really helps them understand how numbers work. Brain research tells us that talking about those patterns internalizes those understandings.
2. Find any number
The more the children find random numbers on the 1,000 chart, the better they understand the patterns and how it all works. I'll use cards or dice to find a random number. If the children draw three one-digit cards, they can make a three-digit number to find. So if they draw 3, then 9, then 5, they should find the number 395 on the grid. This is something children can do in a math center.
3. Add or subtract hundreds
I keep an overhead of the same number chart to model how to use the number grid. With some modeling, the children can learn how to jump 100 numbers at a time. For example, if they start at 245, in order to jump 100, the tens and ones will stay the same, and the hundreds digit will increase by 1, bringing them to 345. Modeling this with the base ten blocks really helps!
4. Call a number
Have the children find it on their grids, then tell the number that is 100 less or 100 more. After some practice, they won't need the grids anymore!
5. Follow the leader
Call a number, then have them add or subtract hundreds, tens, and ones until you're done. Hopefully, they'll land on the correct number! For example, "Start on 384, add 200, subtract 30, add 100, subtract 50. What number are you on now?" (This is great for following directions and practicing the numbers on the 1,000 grid!)
6. Practice adding ones and tens through those tough transitions
Transitioning from the 90s to the next set of 100 is always tricky. With guidance, they can work their way, counting from one hundred to the next.
7. Modeling random numbers with the base ten blocks
One child can randomly point to a number on the grid. The other child can act out that number with the base ten blocks. For example, if one child points to 582, the other child puts out 5 hundreds, 8 tens, and two ones. These blocks really internalize the understanding of place value, I use them all the time!
8. Make a game of it
Children can race from 0 to 1,000. They can place their markers at 0, then with a roll of a couple of dice (making a 2-digit number), they can add that many tens and ones to make their way across the grid to work up to 1,000. Again, the more they use the grid, the more familiar they become with the numbers. If they are having conversations about the numbers, it will help them understand them. (I'm already at 832, less than 200 to go!) Those conversations are meaningful. Kids need to talk in order to learn!
9. Another game
This is a variation of the above game. Children can use playing cards to make a 2-digit number. (Take out 10s and picture cards; aces represent ones.) This makes numbers higher than 66 possible, the highest they can make with 2 dice. The game could move faster. Again, this game encourages conversations about the numbers, precisely what we want!
10. Number grid puzzles
Give the children any 3-digit number. Have them fill in the numbers above, below, and beside that number as they would see it on the 1,000 grid.
As you use the grid, you'll think of plenty more things to do with this grid. I'm sure the kids will, too!
For a "Count to 1,000" booklet, see here:
Count to 1,000 Booklet
Count to 1,000 Booklet