Reading Numbers in the Ten Thousands

Purpose

Reading and writing multi-digit whole numbers

Materials

white board and marker (for individual students)

Overview

Write a five-digit number, such as 96,284. Invite a student to read the number aloud. Repeat for other numbers. Ask questions such as, “Which digit is in the ten-thousands place?” or point to a digit and ask children to name 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.

Next, write a number on the board using words and ask children to write them using numerals. Finally, reverse the process occasionally by writing a number using numerals and asking children to “translate” it into words.

About the sequence

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

Part 1

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

Examples:

11,253
- What digit is in the hundreds place? (2)
- What number is in the ten-thousands place? (10,000)
- What digit is in the ones place? (3)
25,301
- What digit is in the hundreds place? (3)
- What digit is in the tens place? (0)
- What number is in the ten-thousands place? (20,000)
39,050
- What digit is in the ones place? (0)
- What digit is in the thousands place? (9)
- What number is in the hundreds place? (0)
55,004
- What number is in the thousands place? (5,000)
- What number is in the ten-thousands place? (50,000)
- What digit is in the tens place? (0)

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:

Twenty three thousand nine hundred thirty two (23,932)
Thirteen thousand thirteen (13,013)
Fifty two thousand seven-hundred five (52,705)
Eleven thousand one hundred one (11,101)

10,456 (ten thousand four hundred fifty six)
19,300 (nineteen thousand three hundred)
28,090 (twenty eight thousand ninety)
41,009 (forty one thousand nine)