Fifth graders learn powers of 10 and exponents — discovering that 10³ means 1,000 (a 1 with three zeros), and that multiplying by a power of 10 simply moves the decimal point.
Students will be able to…
10 × 10 × 10 = 1,000. Is there a shorter way to write that? Exponents let us write powers of 10 in a snap — and they make big numbers easy!
Project this and change the exponent. Watch 10ⁿ grow — the exponent tells you how many zeros, and how far the decimal moves!
Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.
10 × 10 × 10 — is there a shorter way to write it?
Teacher models.
Class uses Powers of 10.
Students use powers of 10.
One power.
Aligned to the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.
Explain patterns when multiplying by powers of 10; use whole-number exponents to denote powers of 10.
Understand each place is 10 times the place to its right.
Multiply decimals using place-value strategies.
Use place-value structure and exponents.
Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.
Have students explore dividing by powers of 10 and watch the decimal move to the LEFT instead. A printable powers-of-10 sheet is in the Math library.
Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.
A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.
A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.