Alright, we have all been there, trying to teach rounding numbers to third graders who have never rounded before can be very challenging. I have tried just using the rounding trick, I have tried rounding numbers on a numberline. I have just about tried everything I could find on rounding numbers. It wasn’t until the last two years that I finally found a mixture of strategies that have worked for me and my 3rd graders.
I have had the same struggles when I receive my 3rd graders and they struggle to solve word problems, these challenges are going to be faced by teacher year after year but it is up to you if you want to do to something to change it. So stick around and see if one of these strategies can help your students be successful.
Start with boundary numbers to help with rounding numbers!
Well, you are probably asking.. What are boundary numbers. Well boundary numbers are the numbers that a number falls between on the number line. If they are rounding numbers to the nearest ten then their boundary numbers will be multiples of 10, if they are rounding numbers to the nearest hundreds then their boundary numbers will be multiples of 100. Using this strategy helps students understand that when you are rounding you are just finding a good/easy number that is close to your number.
For instance, if I give them the number 125 and ask them to round to the nearest hundred. Their boundary numbers are 100 and 200 because 125 goes between those two numbers on a number line. They would figure out what it is closer to and figure out that it is only 25 away from 100 but 75 away from 200, so when using a number line for rounding it would be closer to 100.
I have full video showing you step by step how I use this strategy and even shows you my awesome introductory car exits lesson to using benchmark numbers on my Instagram. Just go to my Instagram page, click on my blog post highlights, (its the circle with a computer that says blog), then you can watch this rounding strategy in action.
Next, teach them the rounding trick for rounding numbers.
I always start with the basic understanding of rounding using the boundary numbers on a number line but then I move into the trick because most kids will end up loving the trick and using the trick. They absolutely HATE the first day of me teaching the trick because I make them write down word for word every single step they need to do in order to use the trick. Then after using these notes every day of rounding and at every station they end up thanking me for the notes because it helps them get it right. I always say read a step, do a step. The picture below shows you an example of the notes that I have them write in their journal.
Lastly, practice practice practice!!
When students are first rounding numbers they will struggle ALOT but after a few days of practice, practice, practice they will eventually memorize the steps and get the hang of it. Honestly, the first day I teach it every year I usually only have like 3 kids actually get it. Then the next day a few more, then by the third day I typically have the majority of the class rounding numbers correctly in math. I will be honest and tell you every year I am still left about 2-3 students that never seem to catch on. Usually, these are students that struggle with either identifying the place values in a number or some that just struggle reading and following steps for whatever reason it might be.
After the student have gotten down the basic steps of rounding, that is when I start adding in word problems with rounding because that is what they will be tested on. Not just the ability to round numbers in third grade, but also estimating sums and differences.
What about worksheets for rounding numbers and games with rounding numbers?
I have these already created for rounding numbers. This resource gives your students practice at rounding numbers on a number line. This includes test prep questions on rounding numbers that can be used as worksheets, exit tickets, or station games.
It includes:
20 Questions on Rounding numbers on a number line.
These 20 questions have been turned into a worksheet, station board game, task cards, and exit tickets. This resource has GREAT test prep questions and no matter what your style of teaching, there is an activity for you with 20 questions.
You can use the questions in a Station, Whole Group, Tutoring group, or during intervention time!
It covers TEKS 3.2C and Common Core standards 4.NBT.A.3
Do you need other ideas on making place value fun?
Click here to check out my blog post that shows how I teach place value at the beginning of school. This blog included a place value freebie, a video on expanded notation, and many pictures and ideas on how to make place value fun for your 2nd, 3rd, or 4th graders.
