Support your child as he draws and labels a place value chart (up to millions). Ask him to say a large number (up to 1 million). Represent the number on the place value chart using cereal pieces for disks. Challenge each other to say the name of the number that was created, using the different number forms (see Classroom Charts for examples of the number forms).
Ask your child to think of a number less than 1 million. See how many different ways she can represent the number in unit form (e.g., 2,345 as 23 hundreds 4 tens 5 ones; 2,345 ones; or 234 tens 5 ones). Writing the number within a place value chart might be helpful in this process.
Write a 4, 5, or 6-digit number on a piece of paper. On another piece of paper, write a number that is 1, 10, or 100 thousand more or less than the first number. Give the second number to your child. Ask her: What do you need to add/subtract to/from your number so that it will equal my number?
Addition and Subtraction
Provide opportunities for your child to practice multi-digit addition. Ask her to look in a magazine or newspaper for numbers greater than one thousand. Tell her to choose two of the numbers and to add them together. Ask her to explain each step.
Pose word problems to your child and ask him to solve them. For example, Mark typed 2,345 words on Monday and 3,867 words on Tuesday. How many words did Mark type altogether on Monday and Tuesday? Encourage your child to draw a tape diagram (see examples here), to round to estimate an answer, and then to find the exact answer. Answers should be written as statements. Ask your child to assess the reasonableness of his answer. Does the answer make sense?
Let your child be the teacher. First, she’ll need to start by coming up with a word problem for you that involves subtraction. (For example: The ice cream stand sold 1,367 cones on Monday and 988 cones on Tuesday. Solve to find out how many more cones were sold on Monday than on Tuesday.) Next, she’ll need to ask you to solve the problem. Now it’s your turn! Draw a tape diagram, round to estimate an answer, and then find the exact answer. Your answer should be written as a statement. Ask your child, “Is my answer reasonable? How do you know?” Then ask her to check your work to see if it’s correct.