Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Rounding Numbers A student in Mr. Davis' class is struggling to round numbers to the nearest ten and hundred. He has tried showing the student a number line, an open number line, a chart, and a rounding rap. He even wrote the steps down for the student. The student doesn't understand how to find the benchmark numbers for the problem. Mr. Davis tried to help the student with skip counting but that still doesn't help. For example, the rounding number is 36 to the nearest ten. The student doesn't understand that 36 is between 30 and 40. What's next? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) First, start by using smaller numbers such as finding the numbers between 1 and 5. Have the student draw a number line depicting these numbers. If needed, draw lines for the student and allow he or she to fill in the numbers. Then, have the student list the numbers between 5 and 10. With this number line created as an example, have the student draw and label a number line with 30 and 40 being the benchmark numbers. I would begin rounding smaller numbers with the first number line created to build confidence. For a visual activity that works well with special education students, we have our students draw a line under the place value that will be rounded. After doing so, the student will draw an arrow pointing to the number directly on the right. They know to look at this number and then to use the mnemonic "four or less let it rest and five or more round the score." Underlining the value let's us know if the student understands place value correctly which is also a common mistake when rounding.After bouts of success, we encourage students to write their own mnemonics or rules for rounding for display to the class.                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: I really like the ideas in this solution. They sound very useful! Rated On: October 15, 2014 11:44 pm Rated By: taMaSe                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: This was a great suggestion. I will definitely try this suggestion in my own classroom. Rated On: October 16, 2014 12:12 am Rated By: syQase                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: I thought this solution was very thorough. Especially the teaching of mnemonic to remember the rounding technique. Rated On: October 17, 2014 11:06 pm Rated By: ySaryN