Teaching place value models is an essential part of mathematics education, particularly in the early years of schooling. Place value models help students understand the value of digits in a number and their position’s significance. Tens and ones are the basic components of a number; thus, teaching this model early can be a crucial building block in a student’s mathematical journey. In this article, we will discuss some activities that can help teachers in teaching place value models-tens and ones.
1. Base 10 blocks:
Base 10 blocks are the concrete representation of tens and ones. These are cube-shaped blocks with ten small cubes that snap together. Teachers can use these blocks to demonstrate the place value concept to students. For example, you can start with laying out ten sticks in a row and ask the students to count them. Once they count, join two together, and highlight that it makes ten. Then add more sticks to show that ten sticks can be represented with one block. Similarly, four separate sticks represent four ones and so on. The base 10 blocks are an excellent way to make place value models a tangible concept for students.
2. Roll and Build:
Roll and Build is a game that can be played in small groups. Students roll a dice and then build the corresponding number using base 10 blocks. For example, if a student rolls a six, they will need to use six ones to build the number. Once they have built the number, they can exchange the blocks for tens and ones and represent the number in the given format. This game is a fun way for students to practice using base 10 blocks while developing their number sense.
3. Place Value War:
Place Value War is a two-player game that can help strengthen the students’ familiarity with tens and ones place values. The game is played using a regular deck of cards. The cards covered by both players are placed on the table, and each player chooses two cards keeping the values secret. The player with the highest value of tens and ones obtains all four cards. If the players have the same values, it is war. They can continue playing until they finish the deck.
4. Number Grid Puzzles:
Number grid puzzles are another fun activity that can help students develop their place value understanding. Teachers can use colorful or plain number grids and write a two-digit number in each square. Then, they can ask students to solve the puzzles by matching the base 10 block representation of the two-digit number with the written form. This activity will help students develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
In conclusion, Teaching place value models can be a difficult concept for young students to grasp initially. Still, using the appropriate activities like base 10 blocks, games, and puzzles as discussed above can make it a fun learning experience for them. The students learn better when they can see the concept in a real-life context, and these activities provide exactly that, creating a solid foundation for the students’ future mathematical education.
