Researching the Count

Math Lesson 4


NCTM Standards
Number and Operations: Understand , ways of representing numbers, relationships among numbers, and number systems;
            (Grade 3): recognize equivalent representations for the same number and generate them by decomposing and composing numbers.

Number and Operations:  Understand meanings of operations and how they relate to one another.

NETS Standards
Students will discuss basic issues related to responsible use of technology and information and describe personal consequences of inappropriate use. (Performance Indicator 2)

Use keyboards and other common input and output devices (including adaptive devices when necessary) efficiently and effectively. (Performance Indicator 1)

Evaluate the accuracy, relevance, appropriateness, comprehensiveness, and bias of electronic information sources. (Performance Indicator 6)

Grade level: 3               

Duration: 1-2 days

Objectives: Students will dissect a three digit number by addition, subtraction, and multiplication.  They will perform research on their number, how it is used, and experiment with different ways of representing that number.

Materials: Computer, list of appropriate Web pages (see SchoolNotes.com), printer, one copy of Take a Number! worksheet per student, one highlighter marker per student.

Preparation: Set up list of appropriate Websites.

Procedures: Start by asking students to recall their work on arrays and finding the number of objects that were in their respective packages.  Give each child a copy of the Take a Number! worksheet.  Explain that there is more than one way to get their number.  Continue by explaining that, "there are other arrays that could have been made with your objects.  We could make those arrays and get some additional multiplication number sentences.  What if you split your total number of objects into two groups?  What function would describe the total number of objects you have? (addition, demonstrate this)"  Tell the students that today they will be finding many different ways to represent their number.  Ask for suggestions on how to "represent" a number.  We could write some addition and multiplication number sentences, but what about subtraction?  We could write our number in words, or find out how to write it in Roman numerals.  We could represent it in tally marks or find out how to say it in a foreign language.  

Students will use the Internet to find out information on their "number".  Show students how to access appropriate Websites through SchoolNotes.com.  Explain what each link will do and how to interpret it.  As students find valid info, create a printout of the Web page.  Students will also be listing number sentences that relate to their number, using a calculator as a resource.  (It is advisable that students list number sentences before searching the Net for information.  Numberland can only be used effectively if a three digit number is dissected, since only 0-100 is listed on the site.)  Once information has been obtained, direct children in organizing it.  Give each student a highlighter marker and discuss how to read through their Web findings and highlight valuable information.  Close the lesson by discussing interesting findings and strategies used to find number sentences.

Assessment of Objectives: An informal assessment will be performed as the students search the Internet.  Are they using it correctly?  Are they printing valuable information?  A formal assessment will be taken of the addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts given during the lesson.