The purpose of this activity is for students to learn Stage 3 of the How Close? center which was introduced in grade 1. In this stage, each student picks 7 cards and chooses 4 of them to create 2 two-digit numbers. Each student adds the numbers and writes an equation. The student whose sum is closest to 100 wins a point for the round. It is recommended that at this point in the year, students begin with a target number of 50 instead of 100.

If students are not yet able to make 2 numbers that get close to 50, encourage them to choose 2 cards, make a two-digit number, and represent the number with connecting cubes. Students determine how many more cubes they need to get to 50. Then students choose the 2 cards that will have a value closest to that number.

• Display digit cards from the student page.
• “Diego made the number 38. What number could Diego make next to get close to 50?”

In this activity, students find the value of sums with larger numbers using any method that makes sense to them. They may represent their thinking using connecting cubes, drawings, equations, or words. Monitor for the ways students use methods based on place value, including the language they use to describe composing a ten when adding tens to tens and ones to ones (MP3, MP6).

• Display .
• Select previously identified students to share.