School Launch

Parent guide · Grade 3 Math · Unit 1

Lesson 1.4 Roman Numerals

Written for the parent. Read the Say this lines aloud as they are, or in your own words. Answers for you are marked Listen for.

At a glance

Time
5 sessions of 25–30 minutes
Goal
Read and write Roman numerals to 100.
You need
  • A clock face
  • Pencil and crayons
Print
Worksheet A · Worksheet B · the lesson page (it also has a short video (11:44))

Steps

  1. Do this: Ask these out loud. Your child answers out loud; no paper needed.

    • Ask: “6 + 2” Listen for: 8
    • Ask: “6 + 9” Listen for: 15
    • Ask: “7 + 7” Listen for: 14
    • Ask: “5 + 9” Listen for: 14
    • Ask: “8 + 6” Listen for: 14

  2. Say this: “I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50, C = 100. Add letters left to right: XVII = 17.”

    Say this: “A smaller letter before a larger one subtracts: IV = 4, IX = 9, XL = 40, XC = 90.”

    Say this: “Roman numerals: the number letters used in ancient Rome: I, V, X, L, C.”

  3. Show: Write 5 in Roman numerals.

    Say this: “5 is one symbol.”

    Say this: “Write each part: 5 = V”

    Say this: “5 = V”

    Answer: V

    Show: What number is the Roman numeral LVIII?

    Say this: “Read the parts: L = 50, V = 5, I = 1, I = 1, I = 1”

    Say this: “50 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 58”

    Answer: 58

  4. Do this: Your child does these with you. Let them try first; help only after a real try.

    Ask: What number is the Roman numeral XIX?

    Listen for: 19

    If stuck: Read the parts: X = 10, IX = 9

    Ask: What number is the Roman numeral V?

    Listen for: 5

    If stuck: Read the parts: V = 5

    Ask: What number is the Roman numeral XX?

    Listen for: 20

    If stuck: Read the parts: X = 10, X = 10

    7 more practice items on the lesson page, and on Worksheet A and Worksheet B.

    • Writing IIII for 4. The Romans used IV on most monuments.

  6. Draw a card with a 3-digit number. Both players say it rounded to the nearest 10 and the nearest 100. First correct answer scores.

  7. Say this: “Tell me what you learned today. Show me with your hands or the counters if you like.”

    Listen for: Read and write Roman numerals to 100.

  8. Count by 10s and 100s across a thousand (980, 990, 1,000, 1,010). Addition facts drill twice a week.

Spread over the week

5 sessions of 25–30 minutes. Stop while it is still going well.

  1. Session 1. Warm-up, then teach the new idea (steps 1 and 2).
  2. Session 2. Warm-up again, then show how with the examples.
  3. Session 3. Practice together, then play the game.
  4. Session 4. More practice on the worksheet, and the daily habit.
  5. Session 5. Quick check: narration and a few practice items. Move on when it is mostly right.