How do you Teach Place Value?
If the thought of teaching math makes you nervous, then this next statement isn’t going to make you feel any better. Understanding place value is essential to almost every other math skill your student will encounter in their early years. The good news is, if you are wondering How do you teach place value, you have come to the right place!
What terms do you use for teaching Place Value?
There are a few terms your elementary student should know in order to understand place value.
Digit– a symbol used to show a number (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Value– the quantity of a digit (3 is the same as 3 ones)
Place– The position of a digit relative to the decimal (ones, tens, hundreds, thousands)
Decimal -A number written on the basis of powers of ten (35.190
Zero- A digit representing the absence of quantity. Zero is necessary in holding place value.
What tools can you use to teach Place Value?
One of my favorite tools to teach place value are base ten blocks. They are great for allowing students to practice manipulating numbers and gives them hands on experience in manipulating numbers using tangible objects. You can also use unifix cubes, or even pretzels and marshmallows.
Learning Resources MathLink Cubes – Set of 100 Cubes, Ages 5+ Kindergarten, STEM Activities, Math Manipulatives, Homeschool Supplies, Teacher Supplies,Easter Basket Stuffers
XYGROOW Math Manipulatives for Kids Aged 3+.Base Ten Blocks with Place Value Chart – Plastic Math Cubes to Help Educate Kindergarten Teachers.133 PCS
Activities for Teaching Place Value
I created this Place Value Mini Lesson as part of my Number Ninja 12 week Curriculum. Students begin this mini lesson by reading the book Place Value by David A. Adler.
After students are introduced to the idea of what Place Value is, Draw 3 houses on a large piece of paper or 1 on each piece of paper. Write Ones in one house, tens in another and Hundreds in the last.
Tell students that the ones, tens and hundreds are all family members that live next to each
other. Each house only has enough room for 9 family members.
Write the numbers 476, 399, 870 down for your student to see. Ask them to decide on which number is the biggest, the smallest?
Explain that with each of these numbers, the number placement is very important.
Using the digit cards, (included in the lesson) have students practice putting the numbers in the proper place inside each house.
Check out the other activities in the lesson by downloading them here. Or from the form above.
Other Place Value Activities
Use Legos to help teach Place Value -From Teach My Mommy
Try any of these fun place Value Games from Primary Theme Park
For Older Students practicing place value with larger Numbers, you can’t go wrong with this Skittles Activity from Math Geek Mama
Videos On Teaching Place Value
Place Value with Tens and Ones
Other Math Lessons and Activities You might want to Check Out!
Teach and Practice using Money with the Grocery Game
Teach Patters with this fun Game
Teach Elementary Statistics with Skittles!
How to Teach Math Facts with Games
If you try one of these activities or you have a tried-and-true lesson of your own, share in the comments below!
Angela is the Homeschool Encourager for the Overwhelmed & Under-Caffeinated and the Chaos-to-Confidence Specialist behind Schooling with Grace. With a no-fluff approach, a dash of humor, and a whole lot of heart, she helps homeschool moms cut through the chaos, ditch unrealistic expectations, and teach with confidence.