Discovering Patterns While Counting to 100

Khan Academy

This video presents a visual and logical method for writing numbers from 0 to 100, focusing on identifying the inherent patterns within the base-10 number system. Rather than simply reciting numbers, the narrator builds a 100 chart row by row, demonstrating how the "ones" digits (0-9) repeat in every row while the "tens" digit increments. This approach transforms rote counting into a structural understanding of how numbers are formed. The content highlights key mathematical themes such as place value, counting sequences, and pattern recognition. By using color-coding—keeping the ones digit yellow while changing the color of the tens digit for each row—the video visually reinforces the concept that two-digit numbers are composed of tens and ones (e.g., 14 is demonstrated as 10 plus 4). The narrator explicitly breaks down the meaning of the digits, showing that the leading digit represents groups of ten. For educators, this resource is an excellent tool for introducing or reinforcing the 100 chart in early elementary classrooms. It moves beyond simple memorization to conceptual understanding, making it valuable for lessons on place value and number sense. Teachers can use this video to spark discussions about what patterns students see vertically (columns ending in the same number) and horizontally, or to demonstrate why our number system works the way it does.