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Sheila Brune

Theme: How Much is a million? Can be used when studying space, dinosaurs, money etc.

Math Concept: Place Value, Addition

Grade level: fourth

Objective: Students should be able to read, write, and add numbers through hundred thousands in standard form and short form.

Materials: How Much Is a Million? David M. Schartz New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1985

cardboard, paperclips, markers, place value chart

Book Review: Marvelosissimo, the mathematical magician, takes the reader on a journey and explains the concept of million, billion , and trillion. These are often difficult concepts for children to grasp and these detailed illustrations and descriptions, children can better understand large numbers.

Introduction:

1. Before reading the book, ask the students if they know how much a million is. If they know the answer ask them about a billion and a trillion.
2. Have students brainstorm times and places they might encounter large numbers. For example, one interesting fact is that scientist now estimate that the brain contains 100 trillion synapses. Have children discuss why it may be important to be accurate about large numbers. Why can't we say that the stars are really far away?
3. Read the book How Much Is a Million?
4. After reading the book, give each student a place value chart and ask some of the following questions using the chart: Write out numerically one million, two hundred thousand, six million, one hundred thousand. Write out in words: 5, 250, 000 6, 789, 000
5. Then ask them what they know about 1 million for example, 1 million is 1,000 thousands; 1 million is 10 hundred thousands. Once the students grasp the concept of a million, they can then play the bull's-eye game.

Bull's Eye Game

1. Divide the students into pairs to play this game.
2. Draw a large bull's-eye on a 2X2 square piece of cardboard. Label as follows: 1. Inside circle, millions; 2. Next circle, thousands; 3. Next circle hundreds; 4. Next circle, tens; 5. Last circle, ones.
3. Let students pitch 25 paperclips at the bulls-eye and then figure out their score by adding up the numbers. Have them use expanded notation first, and then write the number. For example,

2,000,000 + 6,000 + 500 + 40 + 8 = 2, 006, 548.

If the students have difficulty adding their numbers, have them use their place value charts.

1. Whoever has the largest number wins.

Extension activities

Have students actually make one million. Have them draw 100 stars on each sheet of paper. As the papers are completed, hang them somewhere in the room so students can see what a large number this is. This will take a long time, so they may wish to enlist other classes or continue the project when they have all their work completed.

Source: Braddon, Kathryn, Hall, N., and Taylor, D. Math Through Literature, (1993 ), Englewood, CO., Teacher Ideas Press