Ordering Numbers

As some of you know,  I am taking a two week math workshop (only three days left!) and I have a few ideas to share with you.  Today I played a game on ordering fractions and decimals.  On small cards (I would cut index cards in half) write decimals, fractions, or both.  When the students play, the first thing they will do is draw a 3 by 3 grid.  You might want to make some on the computer and laminate them to save time and make them last longer.

When it is their turn, the student will pick a card from the stack.  They will place their number somewhere on the grid.  The goal is to have the numbers in order on each row (from left to right) and in each column (from top to bottom).  If the card they draw can not be played, they lose a turn.

The student that fills up their grid first (with their rows and columns in order) wins.  You could do this with any grade level and any skill.  You can use whole numbers, decimals, fractions, percents, mixed numbers, improper fractions, multiplication facts, division facts...you name it!  If you were going to use multiplication or division facts, I would not put the answer on the card.  For example, one card might say 6x5= and another might say 4x3=. 
  You can practice this same concept using number necklaces.  Write a variety of whole numbers (or fractions, percents, facts, etc) on index cards and with a hole punch and some yarn make necklaces.  Hand each kid a necklace and tell them that they are to get in order from least to greatest.  I did that with my kids this past year and it was a lot of fun.  Once they are in order, ask a few kids how they knew where to get or how they know they are in the right place.
If you have any questions about these activities let me know.  These activities came from the Mathematics Education Collaborative.

Don't forget the giveway ends at midnight!