Place value - Roman numerals - Presentation

In an engaging presentation on Roman numerals, students delve into the ancient system of numerical representation as part of their place value studies. The lesson starts with an interactive discussion where students explore the six fundamental letters used in Roman numerals and the specific rules for their use. This foundational knowledge sets the stage for a series of activities designed to deepen their understanding and fluency with these historical figures. For instance, one activity involves the teacher calling out numbers, which students then represent using lollipop sticks, either individually, in pairs, or in groups, with the opportunity to challenge the teacher as well.

Further activities involve completing diagrams that showcase numbers in three different formats: digits, words, and Roman numerals. These exercises not only reinforce the conversion between modern and Roman numeral systems but also prompt students to ponder why the Romans did not have a symbol for zero and what it might have looked like if they did. Additional reasoning tasks encourage students to perform calculations using Roman numerals, challenging them to come up with multiple expressions that yield the same total. The session concludes with independent work tasks that require students to complete diagrams, solve calculations, and identify patterns and sequences in Roman numerals, all while ensuring their representations are accurate.