Before we move on to dimes, and after we've done some counting with dots, I'd like to build upon some simple adding techniques. You see, by the end of 1st grade, children not only have to be able to write the numbers from 1 to 100, but they also need to count to 100 in a variety of ways.
For example, children need to be able to skip count by 2's to 20, 5's to 50, and 10's to 100. How do you explain skip counting to your child? I like the analogy I found at Guilt-Free Homeschooling: just as skipping is faster than walking, skip counting is a faster way of counting. It's a great way to introduce the concept, and you could do some skipping with your child inside or outside.
Counting by 10's is especially important, not only for counting with dimes, but because it will provide the foundation for children to learn about place value. That's why a blank hundreds chart is such a powerful learning tool for children in the primary grades.
Here are some of the many things children can do with the hundreds chart:
- Use small objects, like buttons, pennies, beads, stickers, or even pasta, to count out 100 objects. They should go from top to bottom and left to right, just as they would read a book (great way to link literacy). They could even verbally say the numbers. If they prefer, they can draw small objects, like shapes, instead of using objects.
- Practice writing numbers in order from 1 to 100, once again from top to bottom and left to right. If they can't finish, that's okay. Focus on what they were able to do and praise their efforts.
- Skip count by 2's: fold the hundreds chart so that only 2 boxes show on each line. Have them draw something in each box, or put objects in each. Then they can count by 2's, and then write the numbers 2, 4, 6, 8, etc...next to the boxes. If they don't seem to understand, ask them what things come in pairs. If they think about mittens, hands, and feet, it might help them to understand the concept more easily. You could even use floor tiles to skip count! If you put a foot or a hand in each square, you can jump to the next set of tiles, and count as you go!
- Skip count by 5's: fold the hundreds chart so that only 5 boxes show on each line. Children can draw or place objects in each box, and then count by 5's. Again, they can write the numbers 5, 10, 15, 20, etc...next to the boxes. If they have trouble, you can ask what comes in 5's. Use your hands and/or feet to count! You could also put pennies in the boxes, and have your child convert them to nickels. Don't forget the cents sign!
- Skip count by 10's: Unfold the hundreds chart and repeat steps in counting by 5's above. They can also fill in the boxes with pennies and convert them to dimes, but only when they're ready! I'll have a follow up lesson to introduce dimes this week.
There are so many uses for a hundreds chart! Once children have a full understanding of skip counting, they can then do the following:
- Create patterns. Using the entire hundreds chart, they can skip count by 2's, 5's, and 10's by drawing a pattern of colors, pictures, or objects. I even had students using different shapes of cereal to make patterns with it!
- Find number patterns once your child has filled in the numbers.
- Count pennies by adding them one at a time to the chart. Introduce the dollar (after they know all of the coins), and let them use different combinations of pennies, nickels, and dimes to make a dollar. For example, they could replace 5 pennies with a nickel, or ten pennies with a dime. They can keep track of the different combinations.
- Learn fractions and percents. By coloring in 50 squares with one color and the other 50 with another, younger students will begin to understand what half, or 50% means. Older students can create unique patterns to represent different fractions and percents. They can also learn about ratios by filling in, for example, 1 box out of every 4 a unique color. In addition, their unique designs could be made into math problems that other children can solve.
Of course, I need to add a picture book into the mix! There are many about the 100th day of school, but one that goes along well with skip counting is 100 Days of School, by Trudy Harris. You'll find that you don't have to save this book for the 100th day, though. Preschool and primary grade children will enjoy it at any time of year.
The hundreds chart has so many uses. What I love about it is that it makes it easy to connect math with real life. Some children love to draw patterns, manipulate objects (like buttons and coins), or simply play with numbers.
Did you ever think there was so much you could do with one number, or one simple resource? If you have other ideas, please feel free to share!