A Place Value Story By Mary Smith

Once upon a time a covered wagon was crossing the prairie Once upon a time a covered wagon was crossing the prairie.The axle on the wagon broke and two of the wheels fell off. Looking around, the family decided to build a house on the very spot.

The family was the “Units” family The family was the “Units” family. The was Baby “Ones”, Mama “Tens”, and Papa “Hundreds.” They never called each other by their last name since they were the only people living in that place.

Since there was no river, creek, lake, or spring nearby, they had to dig a well.

Some time later another family in a wagon came that way Some time later another family in a wagon came that way. They were going farther on, but winter was coming on and they were tired of traveling. The first family was so sociable and there was a good water well, so they decided to build a house and settle there.

There was Baby “Ones,” Mama “Tens,” and Papa “Hundreds There was Baby “Ones,” Mama “Tens,” and Papa “Hundreds.” Since they had the same names as the original family, they used their last name: One Thousand, Ten Thousand, and Hundred Thousand.

Since there was already a well, the Thousands asked if they could buy water. So the neighbors put in a water meter between the two houses. They wrote the name Thousands on the meter. Thousands Thousand

Not much later another wagon stopped, and liking what they saw, decided to settle. They built a house beside the Thousands’ house. Can you guess their names? Of course, there was Baby “Ones,” Mama “Tens,” and Papa “Hundreds.” Thousands Millions Thousand

They were called by their last name too: One Million, Ten Million, and Hundred Million. The Millions asked for a water meter. It was installed between their house and the Thousands’ house. On that meter was written “Million.” Millions Thousands Millions Thousand

Other families came----The Billions, Trillions, and many more Other families came----The Billions, Trillions, and many more. In each family there were three members---Baby “Ones,” Mama “Tens,” and Papa “Hundreds.” Mathland grew to be a big city. Maybe you can’t say all the last names, but I’ll bet you can tell us all the first names!

The End