Fourth graders in Jacquie Graves’ class at Wilson Elementary put their math and communication skills to the test with a hands-on number-ordering challenge. Students created a nine-digit number without using the same digit more than once, then had to arrange themselves in numerical order — all without talking. The activity challenged students to apply their understanding of place value, number sense and comparing and ordering numbers while thinking critically about the placement and value of each digit.
Beyond math, students strengthened important collaboration and communication skills as they used gestures, facial expressions and other nonverbal cues to work together and solve the challenge. This engaging lesson demonstrated how learning extends beyond the numbers, helping students build problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration and communication skills they can use inside and outside the classroom.