Chances are, place value is the very first unit you teach every school year. There’s no doubt that teaching math lessons on top of establishing routines, classroom procedures, and expectations is challenging. Here’s how I break down place value concepts along with a few place value tips to make the first week manageable and successful.
Place value Part 1: Reading Large Numbers
Do you really know someone well if you don’t know their name? Likewise, if students are expected to understand place value within 7-digit numbers, they must know how to read their names! While this may not be the first lesson in your scope and sequence, it’s crucial to incorporate reading numbers as early as possible. For me, it is the very first thing I teach!
Students might feel overwhelmed when faced with a 7-digit number. Therefore, it’s important to break it down for them. Color-coding and chunking numbers into periods will help students get a grasp on large numbers.
By doing so, they never have to read more than 3 digits at a time. If students can read a 3-digit number, they can read a 7-digit number, and so on!
Another tip is to use numbers that have meaning behind them. How many people live in your city? How many McDonald’s Happy Meals are sold each day? Students will be more engaged and interested if they understand what the numbers represent.
Place Value Part 2: Place Value vs. Value
Next, I move on to value and place value. We continue to read the numbers as we identify value and place value positions. I use the same place value work mat for both skills. This lesson is short and sweet, which is why there is time to incorporate reading numbers.
Place Value Part 3: Place Value Relationships (Day 2)
Place value relationships is typically the first lesson in the 4th grade curriculum. Can you imagine starting off with this lesson on the FIRST DAY! Um, no thanks! That’s why I spent the first day reviewing basic place value skills. Once we’ve got those down, we’re much better prepared to tackle the beast that is place value relationships.
Work mats have been such a valuable tool in helping my students organize their thinking and build confidence as they tackle challenging concepts.
This place value work mat reinforces key skills like place value and expanded form, while helping students understand that each place value position is ten times as much as the value to its right.
If you’ve never had students write a multiplication equation alongside the ten times as much expression, I highly recommend doing so. It helps simplify the concept and lays the groundwork for multiplicative comparisons, which is not too far down the road. Here’s a sneak peek into my Place Value Relationships lesson!
slow and Steady Wins the Race
Students are learning so many things the first week back. Because of this, I often remind myself to slow down, relax, and take it one day and one lesson at a time. If I’m feeling overwhelmed, chances are they are too! These skills are the foundation for 4th grade…slow and steady will help them win the race.
4th Grade Place Value PowerPoint Lessons and Activities
All work mats and activities in this blog post are from my Place Value Unit. These lessons were created for the busy teacher who wants their students to be engaged and excited about learning but doesn’t have the time to start from scratch.
All lessons are editable (woohoo!) and come with printable activities to use during and after the lesson. My hope is for these lessons to save you time and relieve you from the stress that back-to-school season can bring. They are teacher-tested and student-approved as I’ve been using them with my 4th graders for years!
Now, if I left you wanting even more place value tips, head to your favorite podcast listening app and check out Episode 8 of Elementary Math Chat. I share tips for planning your place value lessons, strategies to help students overcome the most challenging place value skills, and small group activities your students will love.
Until next time,
Happy Teaching!
-Annamarie
P.S. If you’re new to using work mats, THIS BLOG POST is a must-read!