Place Value Essential Activities for Grade 2

Kids are introduced to the concept of place value in the second grade. Place Value is a core concept in math. But it’s difficult to teach a kid that the value of a digit (0-9) is dependent upon its position in a number. In place value, you have to teach the kid the position that a number holds and the value that number has. You have to keep in mind that every kid will learn at his/her own pace so you have to be patient and understanding. The right time to teach place value is after the kids have learned to count and can perform simple additions and subtractions. Hands-on methods and practical games are the most effective ways of teaching place value to a kid. One such method is by using poker chips. Here are the steps for teaching place value using poker chips. 1. Introduce Group Counting Teach students how to skip count in twos, threes, fours, fives and tens. Especially emphasize the ‘sense of ten’. This concept is fundamental for the understanding of place value. 2. Teach the difference of numbers and digits The basic ten number symbols (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9) are known as digits. These digits are combined together to make all other numbers in mathematics. Draw examples to demonstrate that ‘3’ and ‘5’are digits in their own but when combined, they make the number thirty-five. 3. Use a Number Board Draw or print out a number board that contains numbers in sequential order from 1- 100. Explain to the kids using visual examples how the numbers from 0-9 interact with the numbers from 10 - 100. Teach the kids that every number from 10 – 99 is made up of two numbers. One number in the ‘ones’ place and the second number in the ‘tens’ place. 4. Use an Interactive Example Now take out the poker chips and distribute them among the kids. Tell them that white poker chips stand for ‘ones’ place whereas the blue poker chips stand for the ‘tens’ place. Now show the kids how to create numbers using place value with the help of poker chips. It is not necessary to use poker chips or pebbles specifically. But it is your responsibility to make learning fun for the kids so you can use any small colored objects to demonstrate the examples.

Place Values are a very fundamental concept in mathematics. The number system in our world is quite complex for kids. Therefore, it is essential to teach them the basics of exchange, trading, position, and value of numbers. The teaching of tens ones and hundreds forms the basis for more complex arithmetic problems. At the beginning of 2nd grade, kids are usually given the concept of ones and tens. After a while, they move a step further to place value of hundreds. Place value can be taught in several ways. But it is important to make the teaching interesting for the kids. One basic strategy of teaching place value hundreds is as follows: 1. Check the Concept of Ones and Tens Write a 2 digit number on the board or distribute some poker chips or any colored inanimate objects among students (it is better if you use the objects previously used for teaching ones and tens), and ask the students to identify the tens place and ones place in the written number. If you are using objects to teach then ask the kids how they can trade ones for tens. When you are sure that they know the place values of ones and tens clearly, you can start teaching the place value of a hundred. 2. Write Hundred on the White Board or Give Them the Third Set of Colored Objects Tell kids how to skip count in the forms of 10, 20, 30…… 90. Once they start skip counting, write a 3 digit number on the board and ask them for its place values. Now tell them how to trade tens for hundreds. Again it will be helpful to give them the third set of colored objects and label them as value hundreds than ask the kids to trade them for tens. 3. Start Playing and Asking Questions Now is the right time to start playing games of 3 digit numbers. Ask the kids simple questions of how they will add or subtract the 3 digit numbers. Cement the concept of place value hundreds in their brains using such small games.

Kids are introduced to the concept of place value in the second grade. Place value for kids is a very important core concept of mathematics. Once kids clearly understand the place value it becomes easier for them to move to the more complex arithmetic problems. But it is important to make learning place value for kids into a fun activity. Before starting to teach them about trading tens for hundreds, you should determine if they have the concept of place value clear. First, check if they know how to trade ones for tens. Once they have a good concept of the base then it will get easier to teach them trading tens for hundred. Here are a few steps on teaching trading tens to kids. 1. Recall Previous Knowledge Ask the students what they know about place value. Then give them some examples and simple place value questions of ones and tens. Write “78” on the whiteboard and ask the kids to identify the tens place and the one's place. Once you are sure that the kids have a clear concept of ones and tens, move to the next step. 2. Distribute the Poker Chips If you had used poker chips to teach the ones and tens then use the same chips again to teach trading tens for hundreds. Tell the kids that the white are ones, the blues are tens and the red are hundreds. Ask the students to trade ten white ones for one blue chip. 3. Trading Tens for Hundreds Tell the students how to count ten blue chips like 10, 20, 30, 40,.., 90. Now tell them how to trade ten blue ones for one red one. 4. Start A Game Once they get the concept of a hundred than start playing with the chips and ask questions like how to change the hundred into 200, 300 and so on. Also, incorporate base ten games and number boards into your games to teach place value for kids. These games are more effective in teaching place value to kids than a simple whiteboard demonstration.