Reading and Writing Numbers in the Thousands

Purpose

Reading and writing multi-digit whole numbers

Materials

white board and marker (for individual students)

Overview

Write a four-digit number, such as 2,354. Ask a child to read the number aloud. Repeat for other numbers in the thousands, or ten thousands, as appropriate for your class. Ask questions like, “Which digit is in the hundreds place?” or “What number is in the tens place?” The purpose here is to have children pay close attention to the language of digit and number and to be differentiate between the two.

Next, say a number and have a child write it on their board as a number. Repeat as time allows.

About the sequence

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

Part 1

I’m going to write a four-digit number. What digit it in the ______ place? What number is in the ______ place?

Examples:

2,354
- What digit is in the hundreds place? (3)
- What number is in the tens place? (50)
5,968
- What digit is in the tens place? (6)
- What number is in the thousands place? (5,000)
3,022
- What digit is in the ones place? (2)
- What number is in the hundreds place? (0)
4,602
- What number is in the thousands place? (4,000)
- What digit is in the ones place? (2)
1,359
- What digit is in the hundreds place? (3)
- What number is in the thousands place? (1,000)
4,209
- What digit is in the tens place? (0)
- What number is in the thousands place? (4,000)
7,180
- What digit is in the ones place? (0)
- What number is in the hundreds place? (100)

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 and I’d like you to write it as a number.

Examples:

Two thousand three hundred fifty seven (2,357)
Three thousand sixteen (3,016)
One thousand one (1,001)
Seven thousand seventeen (7,017)
One thousand two hundred twenty one (1,221)
Three thousand one-hundred twenty three (3,123)
Six thousand two-hundred three (6,203)
Nine thousand five (9,005)