Introduction
Calculating numbers with a decimal point or a lot of zeros can be a daunting task for some of my students. Although many of them can compute three to five digit whole numbers with ease, most have difficulties conceptualizing the magnitude of very large and very small values; this makes the connection between values written in scientific notation to the real world even more of a challenge. One student told me that when she sees a scientific notation expression, she thinks, “Oh no, there are three different kinds of math problems in one: decimals, multiplication, and exponents.” Considering this, I am confident that my students will greatly benefit from a curricular unit that teaches them a more advanced way in which to think about whole numbers, and provide them with opportunities to practice writing very big and very small numbers in standard notation in the context of a superhero character they create. Even though the current math curriculum explicitly addresses computations in scientific notation, my students can become familiar with writing the form and engage in activities that strengthen their number sense. They can experience firsthand how very big and very small numbers exist in everyday life and use what they learn about scientific notation to enhance their writing skills. Understanding how to compare big and small numbers, and how and when to represent them is a foundational part of mathematical literacy.
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