How To Make A Number Scroll In First Grade

First grade students should understand place value to the 10s place, count to at least 120 and know how to compare two-digit numbers to determine which is larger, according to the Common Core Standards. A number scroll is a method for practicing numbers and recognizing patterns. The students will complete charts that have been taped together to create a long scroll of numbers.

Blank hundreds charts comprise the base of the number scroll. You can attach several hundreds charts together to make the number scroll as long as desired. A hundreds chart is a grid made up of 100 squares. The standard chart contains 10 rows with 10 squares in each row. The layout helps first graders easily identify patterns in numbers. For example, the digit in the ones place is the same down each column. The first column from top to bottom is: 1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81 and 91. The students can see how the numbers repeat as they look down the columns.

Each student starts with a blank hundreds chart to begin the scroll. Students start in the upper-left square with the number one. They work across the row, filling in each number to 10. Then, they move to the first box in the second row for number 11 and continue across the row to 20. The final square should be 100. Once students reach the end, they can start a new hundreds chart with the number 101 in the upper-left square. The second chart ends with 200. Teach the first graders to stop and check their work occasionally. They can verify that the digit in the ones place for each column is the same. They can also reread across each row to make sure they didn't skip any numbers.

A number scroll is similar to an ancient scroll, with hundreds charts creating a long paper strip. Tape the first hundreds chart to an empty paper towel roll to add stability to the scroll. Once a student has more than one hundreds chart, tape them together in the correct order. You can work on the number scrolls throughout first grade, taping on new hundreds charts as you go. Students roll the paper around the paper towel tube. When they want to look at the scroll, they unroll it.

Students will practice writing numbers as they complete the grids, but you can also use the scrolls later for additional math learning activities. The Common Core Standards state that first graders should add or subtract 10 from two-digit numbers. Show your students how to move up or down one row on the number scroll to find the answer. Students can also use the number scroll to compare two numbers, according to the Common Core Standards. Call out two numbers. Students find the numbers on the scroll to see which one is larger.