Beyond Just Add a Zero to the End: Guided Math Activities that Tackle Working with the Power of Ten

Posted on January 27, 2012. Filed under: Assessment, Common Core, During the Guided Math Lesson, Elementary math, Graphic Organizers, Guided math, Mathematical Proficiency | Tags: dividing by powers of ten, graphic organizers, Guided math, math models, multiplying by power of ten, zeros |

Teaching students to multiply and divide by the powers of ten is often reduced to just do something with that zero.  So students often say things like if you are multiplying, “just remember to add a zero on to the end.”  What does that mean?  Do they really understand what they are doing?  Do we teach it with place value in mind?  Here is a great model for teaching this concept…the number slides!  Try it and teach your students the place value behind multiplying or dividing by zero.  Teach the students how to use these rulers and then facilitate discussions about multiplying and dividing by powers of ten in small guided math groups.

Happy Mathing,

Dr. Nicki