Math lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 45 minutes
Read and write numbers to 1 000 000 in words
Number sense
CCSS 4.NBT.A.2England: Y5 Number and place value
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Read and write numbers to 1 000 000 in words.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Read and write four-digit numbers in words; Place value names up to hundred thousands
Leads to: the next skill in this area.
Materials: Place value chart, Base-ten blocks or a number line, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Read and write four-digit numbers in words; Place value names up to hundred thousands). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Write in digits: nine thousand three hundred eighteen → 9318Prompt: The word 'thousand' tells you the first digit.
- In 125 840, which place is the digit 1 in? (thousands / tens / ten thousands / hundred thousands) → hundred thousandsPrompt: The places in a group of three are hundreds, tens, ones — for thousands too.
- How do you write 8733 in words? (eight thousand eight hundred thirty-three / eight thousand seven hundred forty-three / eight thousand three hundred seventy-three / eight thousand seven hundred thirty-three) → eight thousand seven hundred thirty-threePrompt: Read the thousands first, then the hundreds, then the last two digits.
Hook · 5 min
- Show a number in the news or a price tag and ask what each digit is worth.
- Share the objective: Read and write numbers to 1 000 000 in words. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Write in digits: four hundred thirty-two thousand seven hundred thirty-one
- Step 1: 432 thousand, then 731.
- Step 2: 432 731
- Answer: 432731
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Write in digits: four hundred nineteen thousand five hundred fifty-eight → 419558Prompt: Everything before 'thousand' is the thousands group.
- Which number is seven hundred ninety-five thousand eighty-five? (795 850 / 79 585 / 803 500 / 795 085) → 795 085Prompt: How many thousands are there?
You do: independent practice · 10 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Which number is five hundred eighty-nine thousand fifty-nine? (589 059 / 594 900 / 58 959 / 589 590) → 589 059Prompt: How many thousands are there?
- Write in digits: three hundred seventy thousand five hundred twenty-one → 370521Prompt: Everything before 'thousand' is the thousands group.
Watch out for
- Reading 1,045 as one thousand four hundred five: point to each place and say its value.
- Thinking a longer number is always bigger, even with decimals (0.45 vs 0.5).
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Read and write four-digit numbers in words.
- Use concrete materials: place value chart.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/math/grade-4.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder