Place Value: Ones and Tens

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.