Reading Numbers in the Hundred Thousands

Purpose

Reading and writing multi-digit whole numbers

Materials

white board and marker (for individual students)

Overview

Write a six-digit number on the board, such as 423,504. Have a student read the number. Repeat for other numbers in the hundred thousands. Ask questions such as, “Which digit is in the thousands place?” or point to a digit and ask children for its place value. The purpose here is to have children pay close attention to the language of digit and number and to be differentiate between the two. Then say or write six-digit numbers, and ask children to write each number using words.

About the sequence

Part 1, reading a six-digit number, prompts children to decode the value and placement of a digit. Part 2, writing a six-digit number, asks children to translate a number said aloud into written form.

Part 1

I’m going to write a six-digit number. What digit it in the _____ place? What number is in the ____ place?

Examples:

123,256
- What digit is in the hundreds place? (2)
- What number is in the ten-thousands place? (20,000)
- What digit is in the ones place? (6)
360,279
- What digit is in the hundreds place?(2)
- What digit is in the tens place? (7)
- What number is in the ten-thousands place? (60,000)
705,904
- What digit is in the hundred-thousands place? (700,000)
- What digit is in the thousands place? (5,000)
- What number is in the ten-thousands place? (0)
260,098
- What number is in the thousands place? (0)
- What number is in the ten-thousands place? (60,000)
- What number is in the tens place? (90)

If children need more practice or are enjoying their mastery, repeat. If children are ready to move on, go to Part 2.

Part 2

I’m going to say a number in word form and I’d like you to write that number in standard form.

Examples:

One hundred fifty thousand nine hundred twenty two (150,922)
Three hundred thousand thirteen (300,013)
Nine hundred thousand eight hundred five (900,805)
Four hundred thousand eighty eight (400,088)