Lesson Plan
Rounding Tricks & Treats Lesson Plan
Students will master rounding whole numbers to the nearest ten, hundred, and thousand through a series of Halloween-themed demonstrations, hands-on activities, and a collaborative rounding game, culminating in an exit ticket to assess proficiency.
Strengthening rounding skills builds essential number sense and supports future multi-digit operations and estimation strategies in math.
Audience
5th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Festive demos, hands-on practice, and a collaborative rounding game.
Materials
- Halloween Rounding Presentation, - Spooky Number Cards, - Rounding Wheels Activity Sheet, - Rounding House Template, - Rounding House Challenge Cards, - Rounding Practice Worksheet, - Mini Whiteboards and Dry-Erase Markers, - Sticky Notes, and - Whiteboard and Markers
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print and cut out the Spooky Number Cards.
- Assemble the Rounding House Template and place it on a display board.
- Load the Halloween Rounding Presentation on the classroom smartboard.
- Make copies of the Rounding Wheels Activity Sheet and the Rounding Practice Worksheet.
- Review the Rounding House Challenge Cards and organize students into small groups.
Step 1
Introduction & Hook
5 minutes
- Begin with the Halloween Rounding Presentation to introduce rounding terms and the rounding rhyme (5 or more, climb on the floor; 4 or less, let it rest).
- Display examples rounding to the nearest ten, hundred, and thousand on the whiteboard.
- Ask students to share times they’ve estimated or rounded numbers in real life.
Step 2
Demonstration: Rounding Wheels
5 minutes
- Distribute the Rounding Wheels Activity Sheet to each student.
- Model how to spin or turn the wheel to select a number and then round it aloud.
- Demonstrate rounding a 3-digit, 4-digit, and 5-digit number step by step using the wheel.
Step 3
Guided Practice: Spooky Number Cards
5 minutes
- Pass out Spooky Number Cards face down to students.
- In pairs, students draw a card, identify the place to round to (ten, hundred, thousand), and state the rounded number.
- Call on pairs to share their results; correct misconceptions on the spot.
Step 4
Independent Practice: Rounding Worksheet
7 minutes
- Hand out the Rounding Practice Worksheet.
- Students complete a mix of rounding problems to the nearest ten, hundred, and thousand independently.
- Circulate to provide support and check for understanding.
Step 5
Rounding House Challenge Game
6 minutes
- Introduce the Rounding House Template set up at stations around the room.
- Each group receives a set of Rounding House Challenge Cards.
- Groups race to place each card’s number in the correct room (Ten Room, Hundred Room, Thousand Tower).
- First group to correctly sort all cards wins a spooky sticker.
Step 6
Assessment & Closure
2 minutes
- Give each student a mini whiteboard; ask them to round one final number (teacher-selected) to the nearest hundred.
- Students hold up boards to show answers.
- Review any common errors and reinforce the rounding rhyme before dismissing.
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Slide Deck
Rounding Tricks & Treats
Welcome to our Halloween rounding adventure!
Today you’ll learn to round whole numbers to the nearest ten, hundred, and thousand.
Use a spooky background. Greet students and introduce today’s adventure: rounding numbers with Halloween fun. Mention that by the end, they’ll be rounding to tens, hundreds, and thousands—and earning spooky stickers!
Objectives
• Master the rounding rhyme: “5 or more, climb on the floor; 4 or less, let it rest.”
• Identify which place value to round.
• Round numbers to the nearest ten, hundred, and thousand.
Read each objective out loud. Emphasize that the rounding rhyme will be their magical tool. Explain why rounding matters in real life (estimating distances, money, etc.).
The Rounding Rhyme
5 or more, climb on the floor
4 or less, let it rest
Explain the rhyme with hand motions: for “climb,” raise your hand; for “rest,” lower it. Clarify that digits 5–9 round up, and 0–4 round down.
Rounding to the Nearest Ten
- Find the tens and ones places.
- Look at the ones digit.
- Apply the rhyme.
- Change the tens digit; set the ones to zero.
Example: 67 → 70
Walk students through each step using a ghost icon next to 67. Circle the 6 (tens) and 7 (ones). Model: ones=7 → 5 or more → round up → 70. Celebrate with a “Boo!”
Rounding to the Nearest Hundred
- Find the hundreds and tens places.
- Check the tens digit.
- Use the rhyme.
- Update the hundreds digit; set tens and ones to zero.
Example: 468 → 500
Display a haunted house graphic labeled “Hundreds.” Highlight 468: circle 4 (hundreds) and 6 (tens). Tens=6 → 5 or more → round up → 500. Emphasize two zeros.
Rounding to the Nearest Thousand
- Identify the thousands and hundreds places.
- Look at the hundreds digit.
- Apply the rhyme.
- Adjust the thousands digit; set hundreds, tens, ones to zero.
Example: 2,345 → 3,000
Show a graveyard scene with tombstones for thousands. For 2,345, circle 2 (thousands) and 3 (hundreds). Hundreds=3 → 5 or more → round up → 3,000.
Let’s Practice!
Round these numbers:
• 54 to the nearest ten
• 289 to the nearest hundred
• 1,234 to the nearest thousand
Invite students to copy the problems on their mini whiteboards and work together. Call on volunteers to share their answers before revealing them.
Summary & Next Steps
• Remember the rhyme for every rounding choice.
• Always identify the correct place value.
• Coming up: a hands-on Rounding Wheels demonstration!
Reinforce the rhyme and steps. Preview the next activity: students will spin rounding wheels to practice more examples.
Activity
Rounding Wheels Activity Sheet
How to Use:
- Carefully cut out each circle along the solid line and the arrow pointer.
- Stack the wheel under the arrow, insert a paper fastener through the center, and spread the prongs to secure.
- Spin the arrow.
- Read the number it lands on, then write and round as indicated.
- Repeat for the given number of spins on each wheel.
Wheel 1: Nearest Ten
Numbers on Wheel: 27, 43, 58, 64, 76, 82, 95, 108
| Spin | Number Spun | Rounded to Nearest Ten |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | __ | __ |
| 2 | __ | __ |
| 3 | __ | __ |
Wheel 2: Nearest Hundred
Numbers on Wheel: 123, 249, 372, 455, 618, 734, 889, 995
| Spin | Number Spun | Rounded to Nearest Hundred |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | __ | __ |
| 2 | __ | __ |
| 3 | __ | __ |
Wheel 3: Nearest Thousand
Numbers on Wheel: 1,234; 2,567; 3,789; 4,321; 5,678; 6,543; 7,890; 8,765
| Spin | Number Spun | Rounded to Nearest Thousand |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | __ | __ |
| 2 | __ | __ |
| 3 | __ | __ |
Worksheet
Rounding Practice Worksheet
Instructions: Round each number to the place value indicated. Show your work (use scratch paper if needed), then write your final answer in the space provided.
A. Nearest Ten
- Round 48 to the nearest ten.
- Round 75 to the nearest ten.
- Round 134 to the nearest ten.
- Round 119 to the nearest ten.
- Round 263 to the nearest ten.
- Round 598 to the nearest ten.
B. Nearest Hundred
- Round 432 to the nearest hundred.
- Round 867 to the nearest hundred.
- Round 145 to the nearest hundred.
- Round 912 to the nearest hundred.
- Round 2,378 to the nearest hundred.
- Round 4,561 to the nearest hundred.
C. Nearest Thousand
- Round 2,345 to the nearest thousand.
- Round 7,890 to the nearest thousand.
- Round 12,456 to the nearest thousand.
- Round 19,987 to the nearest thousand.
- Round 5,432 to the nearest thousand.
- Round 23,789 to the nearest thousand.
D. Create & Solve (Extension)
Write two rounding problems of your own—one to the nearest ten, one to the nearest thousand—and solve them.
- My problem (nearest ten): ________________________
Answer: ______________
- My problem (nearest thousand): __________________
Answer: ______________
Game
Rounding House Challenge Cards
Cut along the dotted lines to create individual challenge cards. Each card shows a number and the place value you need to round to. During the Rounding House Challenge Game, sort each card into the correct “room” of the Rounding House:
- Ten Room (round to nearest ten)
- Hundred Room (round to nearest hundred)
- Thousand Tower (round to nearest thousand)
Nearest Ten Cards
• Round 34 to the nearest ten
• Round 87 to the nearest ten
• Round 113 to the nearest ten
• Round 146 to the nearest ten
• Round 269 to the nearest ten
• Round 585 to the nearest ten
Nearest Hundred Cards
• Round 238 to the nearest hundred
• Round 602 to the nearest hundred
• Round 815 to the nearest hundred
• Round 999 to the nearest hundred
• Round 1,147 to the nearest hundred
• Round 2,375 to the nearest hundred
Nearest Thousand Cards
• Round 1,234 to the nearest thousand
• Round 3,678 to the nearest thousand
• Round 9,012 to the nearest thousand
• Round 14,321 to the nearest thousand
• Round 20,567 to the nearest thousand
• Round 27,890 to the nearest thousand
How to prepare:
- Print this page and cut out each line as an individual card.
- Shuffle the cards and place them face down.
- In the game, each group draws one card at a time, rounds the number aloud, then places it in the correct room on the Rounding House Template.
- Continue until all cards are sorted correctly.
- First group to finish with all correct placements earns a spooky sticker!
Project Guide
Rounding House Template
Use this template as a display board or large poster for the Rounding House Challenge Game. Attach or place each Rounding House Challenge Card in the correct “room.”
| 🎃 Ten Room (Nearest Ten) | 🏚️ Hundred Room (Nearest Hundred) | 🏰 Thousand Tower (Nearest Thousand) |
|---|---|---|
How to Use:
- Print and mount this template on a bulletin board or large sheet of paper.
- Label or draw a spooky frame around each column header.
- As students draw a card, have them place it under the correct column.
- Check each placement for accuracy.
- The first group to fill all columns correctly wins the challenge!
Tip: Use clothespins or sticky tack so cards can be moved if a mistake is spotted. You can also laminate the template and write in card counts or group names in each room with dry-erase markers.
Warm Up
Spooky Quick Round
Time: 3 minutes
Instructions: On your mini whiteboards, get ready to respond quickly! I will call out a ghostly number and the place value to round to. You have 10 seconds to write your answer, then hold up your board for a quick check!
- Round 34 to the nearest ten.
- Round 482 to the nearest hundred.
- Round 2,347 to the nearest thousand.
- Round 79 to the nearest ten.
- Round 516 to the nearest hundred.
- Round 8,765 to the nearest thousand.
Cool Down
Rounding Exit Ticket
Name: ____________________ Date: ____________
Complete the following to show your understanding of rounding.
-
Round 128 to the nearest ten.
Answer: __________
-
Round 654 to the nearest hundred.
Answer: __________
-
Round 7,892 to the nearest thousand.
Answer: __________
-
Explain in one sentence why rounding numbers is useful in real life.
Answer: ________________________________________________
Rubric
Rounding Skills Rubric
Assess student performance on rounding whole numbers to the nearest ten, hundred, and thousand, as well as their understanding and presentation.
| Criteria | 4 – Excellent | 3 – Good | 2 – Satisfactory | 1 – Needs Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accuracy of Rounding | All rounding answers are correct (nearest ten, hundred, thousand). | 1 minor error in rounding. | 2 rounding errors. | 3 or more errors, indicating significant misunderstandings. |
| Identification of Place Value | Correctly identifies the target place value in every problem. | 1 minor misidentification. | 2 misidentifications. | Frequent misidentification; struggles to determine correct place. |
| Explanation of Usefulness | Provides a clear, detailed rationale for why rounding is useful with examples. | Provides a clear rationale but lacks supporting detail or examples. | Provides a basic or partially accurate rationale. | Offers no rationale or gives an inaccurate explanation. |
| Presentation & Organization | Work is neat, legible, and all steps are clearly shown. | Mostly neat; some steps are unclear or incomplete. | Work is somewhat disorganized; multiple steps missing or unclear. | Work is messy or incomplete; minimal to no steps shown. |