Vertical Number Lines

In class, we often use number lines to help students with their number sense. It helps them to understand sequence and relationships of numbers.  Recently, I tried doing number lines as a math center, but instead of putting it horizontally as I usually have, we made them vertical.  It was interesting to see how it made the kids see it in a different way.

We were working on fraction (ratio), decimal and percent. With the activity we were doing, the students were asked not only to order their numbers, but also to find equivalent numbers.  Students generally figured out to start with the benchmark of 1/2, but it was interesting to see how some numbers were placed. We were able to have some interesting discussions about reasonableness.  We also have a horizontal number line in the classroom with many of these numbers on it and students were encouraged to look at it.  It was interesting to see the challenge students had with translating it from the horizontal to the vertical.  It reminded me of how important it is to have different perspectives when doing math.

Though we used this activity with fractions, decimals and percents, clearly it can be used beyond that from anything from the numbers 1-10, to hundreds, to billions, to integers, etc.