using manipulatives/visual to teach rounding numbers

For the procedure part, I have the kid identify the place to be rounded to, and undreline that number. Then I have ‘em circle the next number — that’s the one to look at. I emphasize that the number will either stay the same or go up — never down, because you always get credit for what you did, the rounding just says whether we’ll cut you a break if you’re more than halfway to the next one.
If hte one in the circle is over five, you send the underlined one up to the next level — then you make all the smaller places “round” — so round that they are zeroes. Then you check to make sure you have the same number of places in the first and last number (so 3567 doesn’t get rounded to 360).
It’s not fool proof and I have to be sure to keep working on the concepts but it helps. I’d love to design some good visuals to go with the practice… talk about some good software…

This is excellent!! I’ve been using the roller coaster strategy, but once you have to round to 100’s, 1000’s, etc., their reliance on a number line can be difficult. This is a terrific next step once they “get” the rules for rounding.
I can’t wait to try it- THANKS!!!!

I do the same thing but with a twist. I tell them to underline the number the directions tell them to. Then I say everything to the right becomes a zero and to the left stays the same. Then say..”GO RIGHT NEXT DOOR…..ask Mr. Wilson the neighbor for advise like on the TV show HomeImprovement.” Mr. Wilson gives the advise but doesn’t change himself. He tells the underlined number what to do. THEY GET IT. We chant…..go right next door…ask Mr. Wilson….If Mr. WIlson is a 5,6,7,8, or 9 bump up the underlined number….If Mr.W is a 0,1,2,3,or 4 the underlined number stays the same.

Works for me in Arizona.
Michelle