Investigating numerical patterns is a big part of the math curriculum.  Skip counting is included and counting by 10s plays a big role in the understanding of "ten-ness".  'Ten' is, of course, the building block of our base 10 numeration system.

While or Cross Country Team was at the district meet, we adopted some students from other classes and decided to have our own challenge.  I showed the students a paper chain of 10 which they used as a referent to make an estimate for how many paper chains 17 children could make in 25 minutes.  As I posed the challenge, I heard many estimates and discussions amongst the students.  They wrote down their estimate on a sticky note.

I then put on the timer and they got to work making chains of 10 in either orange or black which were then stapled together as they were completed.

The excitement was high, along with the noise in the Open Area!!

The paper chain train stretched all the way from Division 1 to the office. 

The final count...any guesses??

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470!!!