The Number Chart app (from the Math Learning Center) is a tool for exploring numbers in a grid format. Learners can use one of the standard charts – such as a 10 x 10 grid with the numbers 1-100 – or they can create their own custom chart of any size and fill it with fractions, decimals, and mixed numbers.
They can also use the stamp tool to identify patterns or make conjectures about the number system.
In addition, teachers can use the Number Chart app for choral counting by using the play and pause buttons in the lower tray.
A choral count is a math instructional routine where you choose an starting number and an increment and your class does the calculations to complete the grid by saying the next number in the sequence as a group. Choral counts can certainly be done on a board with chalk or a marker, but this app allows another option. Say we wanted to do a count by thirds, starting with 1/3:
Once you enter your starting number and increment, the app will automatically populate the grid as your students are saying the numbers out loud, until you end with something like this:
While a hundreds chart and variations are often used in classrooms, the virtual Number Chart is an open-ended, web-based tool that allows for exploration in elementary classrooms.
App Features
- Load one of four standard number charts:
1-100 (10 x 10)
1-120 (12 x 10)
1-200 (10 x 20)
10-1000 (10 x 10, counting by 10s)
- Create your own number chart up to 20 x 20, and fill it with fractions, decimals, and mixed numbers.
- Stamp any of the squares with 10 different stamps in 6 different colors.
- Use the “Stamp Every…” tool to create a pattern by stamping every __ square on the chart, starting at __.”
- Use the Show and Hide buttons to hide numbers or to reveal hidden numbers.
- Use the Choral Counting feature to display one number at a time (while students count along).
- Share your work by saving an image or creating an 8-character code and link to send to others.
The folks from the Math Learning Center designed a tutorial of challenges to work through to explore all you can do with the Number Chart app. As you build your skills, think about all the different math ideas you are exploring and how you might be able to apply Number Chart to the math you do in and out of school.
