Place Value Bedsheet

Place value, and number sense are essential skills in mathematics, but they are skills that students struggle with.  I used this lesson with fifth graders, but it can be used with any students who are having difficulty in this area.

Common Core Standards

  • CCSS.Math.Content.5.NBT.A.1 Recognize that in a multi-digit number, a digit in one place represents 10 times as much as it represents in the place to its right and 1/10 of what it represents in the place to its left.
  • CCSS.Math.Content.5.NBT.A.2 Explain patterns in the number of zeros of the product when multiplying a number by powers of 10, and explain patterns in the placement of the decimal point when a decimal is multiplied or divided by a power of 10. Use whole-number exponents to denote powers of 10.
  • CCSS.Math.Content.5.NBT.A.3 Read, write, and compare decimals to thousandths.
    • CCSS.Math.Content.5.NBT.A.3a Read and write decimals to thousandths using base-ten numerals, number names, and expanded form, e.g., 347.392 = 3 × 100 + 4 × 10 + 7 × 1 + 3 × (1/10) + 9 × (1/100) + 2 × (1/1000).
    • CCSS.Math.Content.5.NBT.A.3b Compare two decimals to thousandths based on meanings of the digits in each place, using >, =, and < symbols to record the results of comparisons.
  • CCSS.Math.Content.5.NBT.A.4 Use place value understanding to round decimals to any place.

Anticipatory Set

Write this number on the board:  1, 293, 548.12 .  Have the students write it in words.

Direct Instruction

1.  Explain the concept of place value.  Create a place value mat on a bedsheet, beginning with whatever area the students are struggling with.  (For this example, we will begin with hundreds).  Lay the mat on the floor.

2.  Write single digit numbers on sheets of white paper.  Hand out three of these numbers to student volunteers.  Have the volunteers stand wherever they choose, on the mat.

3.  Have a student read the number that has been created.  Repeat this exercise, until students seem comfortable with three digit numbers.

4.  Begin doing this exercise with four digit numbers, then larger numbers and decimal places.

Guided Practice

1.  Hand out place value mats, to whatever place value you have practiced in the Direct Instruction.  This site has some great place value mats.

2.  Write numbers on the board, in words, and have the students create them on their mats, using number cards.

3.  Walk around the room, to insure that students are comfortable with the material.

Independent Practice

Use this website to create worksheets for students to complete independently.

 

Here is another great place value lesson plan, if students need additional instruction.

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