The 100 square is a well-used and important arrangement of our numbers to 100. For many children this is the model that begins their exploration of numbers beyond 10, with the positional aspect of number beautifully reinforced. If you think of it as a basic number track that has been cut up into 10 rows of 10, then it actually opens up many further possibilities.
I am currently planning a training session for a group of teachers in Abu Dhabi and I want to show them an interactive 100 square that could be altered, coloured and explored. Surprisingly, the best I could find was the old Numeracy Strategy ITP: Number grid. There are others out there, but none as effective.
Exploring patterns on a 100 square
Begin by looking at the skip counting patterns, counting in threes from 3 gives a nice diagonal pattern. (See the grid top right).
Exploring patterns on a 100 square
Begin by looking at the skip counting patterns, counting in threes from 3 gives a nice diagonal pattern. (See the grid top right).
But what would happen if there were 9 columns, so the track is nine numbers across in a row? The result is often a surprise and not something that is easily predicted until you see it appear on the 90 square.
It is fairly obvious what the next questions could be - … so, what if it had 8 columns? … or 7?
This gives some great opportunities for prediction, proof and generalization.
Children can explore this further with multiples of 2, 4, 5, 6 etc, looking for general rules in the patterns generated.
It is fairly obvious what the next questions could be - … so, what if it had 8 columns? … or 7?
This gives some great opportunities for prediction, proof and generalization.
Children can explore this further with multiples of 2, 4, 5, 6 etc, looking for general rules in the patterns generated.
There are literally hundreds of ideas out there for using a 100 square with your class. If you actually want 100 ideas then the list on the file below isn't a bad place to start.
I downloaded it from the NNS Cumbria site, quite a few years ago now, and it gives some good starting points to get children exploring the 100-square:
I downloaded it from the NNS Cumbria site, quite a few years ago now, and it gives some good starting points to get children exploring the 100-square:
100 Ideas for Using a 100 Square
Finding missing numbers are always a favourite activity and this can be made an extra challenge by working out missing numbers on 100 squares with unusual arrangements.
Take a look at the 100 square on the right and work out the arrangement of the numbers.
Start by asking your class to write in individual numbers that you give them - so that they are not simply counting, but using the positions of the numbers that are visible to help them.
• Write in the number 37. What number did you use to help you?
• Write in the number 100. Now write in all the multiples of 5 that are missing.
They can then go on to complete the grid.
Take a look at the 100 square on the right and work out the arrangement of the numbers.
Start by asking your class to write in individual numbers that you give them - so that they are not simply counting, but using the positions of the numbers that are visible to help them.
• Write in the number 37. What number did you use to help you?
• Write in the number 100. Now write in all the multiples of 5 that are missing.
They can then go on to complete the grid.
Related articles
Make your own interactive maths kits
Include a laminated hundred squares and use in cover up activities.
For Broadbent Maths Planning Menu users take a look at other models and download a 100 square template.
Make your own interactive maths kits
Include a laminated hundred squares and use in cover up activities.
For Broadbent Maths Planning Menu users take a look at other models and download a 100 square template.
