Numbers, numbers, numbers. . .

This week during Math Workshop, we have been working on numbers and counting. Today we studied number lines. We worked in groups to make different sections of a number line. Each group was given a line and sets of numbers. They had to figure out what their numbers were for and where they went. Many groups were confused to begin with wondering "Why do I have so many twos?" When I reminded them that they had to use every number, they quickly realized that they had to use the extra 1's, 2's, 3's ,or 4's to make 10's, 20's, 30's, and 40's. After each group finished their number line we came back together to discuss our activity. We talked about why the number line has arrows on the ends. Chiann was able to tell us that her line did not have arrows because when we put all of the pieces together, hers would be in the middle and would be part of the big line so it doesn't need arrows. I was very impressed with their thinking. They loved the activity! I heard several "This is my best day of school ever!" I love to hear those statements, especially when they are learning and might not even realize it! I hope to be able to give them many more "best days ever" in the weeks to come.

You can see the beginning of our activity is the following photos.





And our finished product looks like this -