Learning three-digit numbers can be a challenging part of the math curriculum for many second graders. This lesson helps to support second graders' understanding of larger numbers by teaching them place value. Kids will compare three-digit numbers and learn to count up to 1000 with guided instruction. When the lesson is finished, consider printing out the corresponding worksheets recommended by our curriculum designers.

Understanding how our ten number system works enables students to see interesting and useful patterns and relationships in these math activities. These patterns allow students to develop more efficient mental math strategies when multiplying by multiples of 10 or 100. Students will also review rounding and apply this skill to larger numbers - up to 100,000’s place.

Multiplication is essentially repeated addition, or growing numbers by doubling, tripling, quadrupling, and so on. This unit presents mental models and strategies that help students learn and review the concept of multiplication. Students explore multiplication using arrays, partial products, doubling methods and the standard algorithm to solve numerical and word problems. Students will multiply whole numbers and simple decimals by base ten exponents (i.e. .3 x 103).

This lesson is a continuation of place value practice, and offers more instruction on identifying tens and ones in 2-digit numbers. Once first graders are able to quickly identify place value they are then able to understand on a deeper level what larger numbers actually mean. This is crucial for the math fluency that will support higher-level concepts in the later grades.

This year, first graders will be introduced to place value and our base 10 number system, usually by starting with 2-digit numbers (100 or less). This guided lesson helps introduce place value to first graders through instruction and examples targeted to this skill. If your child finishes the lesson and needs more practice with place value, download and print the accompanying worksheets suggested by our curriculum team.