Fun Hundreds Chart Puzzles For Numbers 1 to 1,000
One way to build number sense is by spending time on the hundreds chart. These hundreds chart puzzles get children doing just that, and it isn’t just in the 100’s. They go all the way to 1,000.
As a previous teacher and now homeschool mom, building number sense is very important to me. From kindergarten, all four of my children began spending time on the hundreds chart. For my special needs child, we are using it to figure out the number that comes before and after a number, like 34. It is also great as we work on which is greater 45 or 54.
Mental Addition and Subtraction
But my favorite use is for learning to do mental addition and subtraction.
This year, I have had the privilege of tutoring a fourth grader that is really struggling in math. In August, she couldn’t do mental math at all. And starting at 400 and going back one mentally was quite a struggle. I pulled out the hundreds chart, and we have spent a ton of time on it. And you know what, the mental math and understanding that is happening has been amazing.
In the beginning, she couldn’t do the partial difference method for subtraction. (I teach both trading and partial difference to all my children and they get to choose which works best for them.) But now, with her time on the hundreds chart, she is able to do the mental math required of partial differences….one of the main reasons I required her to do this was to constantly practice the mental math.
These hundreds charts even work for our older kiddo. And this activity is just another way to get in some time on the charts. Oh, and the cards go all the way to 1,000.
Prep-Work
As always, clip cards require a little prep work. But I love sticking them in a file and being to pull them out when a student needs them.
- First, print off the cards that fit the needs of your students. I recommend using card stock.
- If you think they will be needed, print off the hundreds chart. I hole punched them and placed them in a folder for my children to flip through.
- Next, cut them out and then laminate them for extra durability.
- Finally, gather up some clips.
Sorillo Brands 50 Wooden Clothes Pins – 2-7/8 inch
6 Pack Multicolor Plastic Two Pocket Folders with Prongs, Plastic Folders with 2 Pockets and 3 prongs, 2 Pocket Plastic Folders for School, Home, and Work, 6 Pack Plastic FoldersAstrobrights Mega Collection, Colored Cardstock,
Hundreds Chart Puzzles
Now it is time to get started.
The biggest concept to teach our kiddos here is that if you move up on the chart you are subtracting 10. Move straight down you are adding 10. Move to the left, you are subtracting one. And finally, when you move to the right you are adding one.
If our sweet children can remember that, and change the right digit (especially as they begin working in the hundreds) they begin to build incredible number sense as well as mental math skills.
Spending a little time on these hundreds chart puzzles is worth every minute because you are building number sense.
Get more Number Sense Activities HERE!!!
