Virginia SOL 6.NS.3.d

Math6th GradeNumber and Number Sense

The Standard

Recognize and represent powers of 10 with whole number exponents by examining patterns in place value.

Virginia Standards of Learning for Mathematics · The student will recognize and represent patterns with whole number exponents and perfect squares.

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students connect exponential notation to repeated multiplication by 10 and write each value in standard form. They use place-value patterns to explain each increase, including why 10^0 equals 1.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given 10^6, a student writes 1,000,000 and explains that the exponent counts the factors of 10. Given 100,000, the student writes 10^5 and supports the answer with place value.
Common Misconceptions: Students may read 10^4 as 10 times 4 and write 40. They may think 10^0 equals 0. Some say the decimal point moves instead of explaining that digits shift to new places.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Write 10^0 through 10^5 in standard form. Then write 1,000,000 as a power of 10 and explain the pattern.

Lesson moves

Place a 1 card on a place-value chart, shift it left four times, and record each value as a power of 10.
Respond to: Why is 10^5 ten times 10^4, and how can a place-value chart prove it?
Play a matching game using cards showing exponential form, standard form, and a place-value description, including 10^0.
Use metric lengths of 1, 10, 100, and 1,000 meters, then label each amount with a power of 10.

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