UNIT PREPARATION

Display the Math Practices page where all students can see it.

Gather enough pennies so each student group will have 20 pennies. (See Lesson 5.)

Students will need the following tools readily available for the Daily Practice and Problems items in this unit:

LESSON SESSIONS DESCRIPTION SUPPLIES

LESSON 1

Show Big Numbers

 2–3 In this lesson, students review place value to the billions using the context of populations. Students will read, write, and order large numbers representing the populations of States. They will also play a game to practice reading large numbers.
  • scissors
  • envelope for storing flash cards
  • calculator
  • clear plastic spinner or paper clip and pencil

LESSON 2

Explore Big Numbers with Base-Ten Hoppers

 2–3 Students develop flexibility with composing and decomposing numbers based on place value concepts. They represent large numbers using number lines and number sentences. Using the context of world population, students solve problems using big numbers.
  • calculators

LESSON 3

Estimate Products

 3 Students use multiplication strategies (arrays and the commutative property) along with estimation strategies (rounding, convenient numbers, benchmarks, and range) to estimate products of big numbers.
  • calculators

LESSON 4

Exponents and Large Numbers

 2 Students begin this lesson by reading the story, “Sand Reckoning,” which tells the story of Archimedes' estimate for the number of grains of sand it would take to fill the universe. Students then review the use of exponents to represent numbers. They identify the patterns in the powers of ten and use these patterns to write numbers represented with exponents in standard form. Students explore patterns when multiplying by multiples of ten.
  • calculators

LESSON 5

Stack Up

 2 Stack Up is an extended-response problem that uses large numbers with ending zeros. Students work in groups to find the number of pennies needed to build a stack tall enough to reach the moon. Students use Math Practice Expectations 2, 3, 5, and 6 to review, revise, and evaluate their written work.
  • 20 pennies
  • metersticks
  • centimeter rulers
  • calculators

LESSON 6

Workshop: Represent Large Numbers

 1–2 This Workshop lesson provides opportunities for students to address missing concepts, practice skills, or extend their learning, as needed. Students use their understanding of place value to partition large numbers, represent numbers with exponents, and multiply numbers that are multiples of ten.
  • clear plastic spinner or a paper clip and pencil

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Resources

  • Adler, David A. Millions, Billions, & Trillions: Understanding Big Numbers. Holiday, New York, 2013.
  • Branzei, Silvia. Grossology. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Reading, Massachusetts, 1995.
  • Goldstone, Bruce. Great Estimations. Henry Holt and Company, LLC, New York, New York, 2005.
  • Goldstone, Bruce, Greater Estimations. Henry Holt and Company, LLC, New York, New York, 2008.
  • The Population Reference Bureau (http://www.prb.org) includes a data finder that informs people around the world about population, health, and the environment, and empowers them to use that information to advance the well-being of current and future generations.
  • The United States Census Bureau (http://www.census.gov) serves as the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy.
  • The American Fact Finder database can be accessed through the United States Census Bureau. This is an additional source for quality data about our nation.
  • Information Please (www.infoplease.com) has been providing authoritative answers to all kinds of factual questions since 1938—first as a popular radio quiz show; then, starting in 1947, as an annual almanac; and since 1998, as a web-based publication.