The Underrated Math Miracle Tool You Need for your Young Math Learner & 6 Ways You Can Use It to Unlock Math Magic

A. J. Gabs
3 min readNov 2, 2023
Image credit: Natasha Hall on Unsplash

While working with my second grader on her math homework one sleepy morning, she pulled out a raggedy piece of paper from her folder to help answer some problems. This paper had been clearly loved and used. Lines were drawn and erased, edges were bent, fingerprint smudges marked several of the numbers. It was her hundreds chart. For this particular assignment, we were adding “big” numbers like 26+32 by using the chart like a number line: start on 26, jump 3 tens, then move forward 2 spaces. Seeing the value (and the love and use) of this particular tool, I quickly made a new one, and ever since, we’ve been playing games with it every day.

Its pretty amazing how a simple grid of numbers can unlock a world of mathematical understanding for children. That’s the power of a hundred chart — a straightforward tool that can help youngsters navigate the vast seas of numbers with confidence. As a parent or teacher, you can be the compass guiding them, using this chart not just to count, but to build a foundational understanding of various math concepts. Let’s explore six engaging activities that make learning with a hundred chart an adventure for every young learner. If you need a quick and easy hundred chart to get you started, click here.

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A. J. Gabs

An avid learner of neuroscience and child development. Once a certified counselor and teacher, now a parent, IT Professional and children’s author.