The Biggest Number

Summary

Students are competing in a game show and have a chance to build the biggest number they can by creating two three digit numbers from a random selection of single digits. They then add these two numbers together, the winner is the one with the largest sum.

Materials

• paper and pencils
• manipulatives (ie: unifix cubes, base 10 blocks, number tiles or cards)

Background for Teachers

• understand place value strategies for addition and subtraction
• familiar with a number of addition and subtraction strategies and when to use them
• understand the CRA model of teaching

Student Prior Knowledge

• addition and subtraction within 100
• a variety of addition and subtraction strategies
• understand place value
• how to line up numbers for addition and subtraction to maintain place value
• composing and decomposing numbers

Intended Learning Outcomes

• students will make sense of the problem and persevere in solving it (MP1)
• students will create representations to show their reasoning
• recognize when to use addition and subtraction and which numbers to use(MP6)
• show understanding of addition and subtraction
• students will work as a team and use mathematical discourse in solving the problem

Instructional Procedures

Students will play a game show called "The Biggest Number is RIGHT! where they have a chance to create two 3-digit numbers, add them and then determine if they have the biggest number and prove why they should win.

Strategies for Diverse Learners

• use base 10 blocks or another manipulative to show computations
• provide guided assistance to complete and gradually withdraw the support

Extensions

• find the smallest sum
• smallest and largest difference
• pick different digits