MOST classrooms start the year learning about place value. This can either be a huge drag OR you can make it super engaging and a valuable time for your students. Below are a few of my favorite place value ideas:
Place Value should have a PLACE in your classroom
I am completely obsessed with having a huge place value chart in the classroom. This giant chart is super easy to print and post. We find ourselves referring back to this place value chart long after our place value unit has ended. I am such a stickler for students reading numbers properly and I love watching their eyes flit up towards this chart as they read a number.
Make it a Game
If teachers came with tag lines, mine would probably be: Just turn it into a game! I have found that students LOVE a good challenge and when students are engaged, their work product and accuracy improve dramatically. Below are a few of my favorite digital and printable place value activities.
Click a product image below to take you to the activity.
Don’t Forget to REVIEW
Even though we typically hit place value pretty hard at the beginning of the year, a winter review is definitely necessary. Throughout the year I’ll host themed math review days. One of my favorite days is right before winter break when everyone is checked out and ready for a holiday.
This gingerbread math review covers a range of skills including place value. Students solve math problems, check their work and earn snowballs (currency) for correct answers. Once students have earned enough snowballs they can go shopping and purchase recycled materials which they use to construct their gingerbread house.
It is the absolute perfect end to the semester. We get in an extensive math review and students get to be hands on and creative.
Extend Student Learning
One of my biggest teaching pet peeves is when teachers will not cover materials because it is NOT IN THE STANDARDS. Students can and will surprise you with how much farther they can go than JUST their grade level standards. Decimals were not a fourth grade skill. Did I cover decimals? Absolutely. Give it a try and see if your students don’t surprise you. In fact, while you’re at it, turn it into a game ;)
Click a product image below to take you to the activity.
