ABSTRACT
A laminated card, as illustrated in Photocopiable Sheet J, can be used to teach and practise several concepts. This can be written on with some felt-tipped pens and most OHP pens. This means that the cards can be used and reused, and that children do not mind 'having a go', as mistakes can be wiped off. There are many uses for teachers.
Use to discuss place value of two- or three-digit numbers. For example, 124 can be read from the card as one 100, two 10s, four 1s. This can lead to a discussion of how you would read the number 124 without the headings.
Use to discuss decimal place. Each column has a value ten times bigger or smaller than the one to each side. Discuss the whole number columns first. Start at the 100s column and discuss how the column to the right has a value ten times smaller. The one to its right again has a value ten times smaller. What is ten times smaller than 1?
You can extend the above by using a large decimal point which is held by a child. Other children hold digits and range themselves round the decimal point to make a number, e.g. 23.4. What happens if we make this number ten times bigger (multiply this number by ten)? The child holding the dot does not move, but the ones on either side move up a place. Now the number can be read as 234. The same activity can be done in reverse to illustrate a number becoming ten times smaller (dividing by ten).
Add the £ sign to the first three columns. Discuss the decimal point when writing sums of money. Ask the children to write down £324.42. Ask them the value of each column.
Use to explain metres and centimetres, kilograms and grams.
