Place Value

Are You Teaching Place Value in Year 1?

Do you need help and engaging activities for teaching place value to Year 1 students? Read on for practical strategies, hands-on resources, and expert tips on building a strong foundation in place value. We’ll explore why place value is essential, common challenges students face, and how to make learning fun and meaningful. Plus, we’ll link everything to the Australian Curriculum (Version 9) so you can feel confident that your teaching is on track. Let’s dive in!

What is Place Value?

Place value is a fundamental concept in mathematics that helps students understand the value of digits in a number based on their position. It is the foundation for working with larger numbers, addition, subtraction, and later multiplication and division.

In Year 1, students develop their understanding of place value by learning to recognise numbers, group them into tens and ones, and explore different representations of numbers using concrete materials. For example, the number 42 consists of 4 tens and 2 ones. This means students need to grasp that the ‘4’ in 42 does not simply mean 4 but represents 40, as it is in the tens place. Likewise, the ‘2’ remains as 2 ones because it is in the ones place.

To reinforce this understanding, teachers can use manipulatives such as base-ten blocks, ten frames, and bundling straws. A simple hands-on activity is to give students 42 individual counters and ask them to group them into tens and ones. By physically bundling ten counters together, students can see that 42 is made up of 4 groups of ten and 2 leftover ones.

Another effective method is using place value charts. Students can place number cards into columns labelled “Tens” and “Ones” to visually represent numbers. This not only helps with recognition but also prepares them for later work in addition and subtraction with regrouping.

Place value also connects to real-life experiences, such as understanding money. For instance, explaining that a $10 note is equivalent to ten $1 coins reinforces the concept of grouping in tens.

Mastering place value helps students build number sense and confidence in working with numbers, setting them up for success in more complex mathematical operations.

Using Different Materials to Teach Place Value

A variety of hands-on materials can be used to teach place value, helping students develop a concrete understanding before moving on to more abstract concepts. Some of the most effective materials include:

• Bundling sticks (paddle pop sticks, straws, or matchsticks with rubber bands): These are ideal for introducing place value concepts because students physically bundle ten ones into a group, reinforcing the idea that ten ones make a ten.
• Base-ten blocks (MAB blocks): These provide a structured visual representation of place value, but they should only be introduced after students have mastered bundling sticks. Because base-ten blocks are already grouped into tens and ones, they remove the need for students to physically make the connection between ones and tens, which is crucial in early place value understanding.
• Ten frames: These help students visualize numbers and see the relationship between ones and tens more clearly.
• Number lines: Useful for showing the order of numbers and reinforcing skip counting by tens.
• Place value charts: These allow students to match numbers to their digit values and build an understanding of number structure.
• Coins: Australian money (e.g., $1 coins and $10 notes) provides a real-life example of grouping numbers into tens and ones.

Using a sequence of materials ensures students gradually build their understanding. Start with bundling sticks before introducing base-ten blocks to avoid students memorizing rules without truly understanding the concept of grouping.

Differentiating Place Value Activities

Every classroom has students working at different levels, so differentiating place value activities is essential to ensure all students are engaged and challenged at the right level. Here are some ways to differentiate:

For students who need extra support:

• Use smaller numbers (1–20) to build confidence before moving to two-digit numbers.
• Provide visual supports such as ten frames, number charts, or place value mats.
• Focus on hands-on exploration with concrete materials like bundling sticks before moving to written numerals.
• Encourage students to draw pictures to represent their thinking (e.g., drawing groups of ten and extra ones).

For students who are ready for a challenge:

• Extend partitioning beyond tens and ones (e.g., breaking 46 into 30 + 16 as well as 40 + 6).
• Introduce missing number problems (e.g., “I have 3 tens. How many more tens do I need to make 50?”).
• Encourage students to explain their thinking using mathematical language.
• Challenge students with skip counting patterns starting from numbers other than zero.

Differentiating activities ensures that all students, regardless of their skill level, develop a solid understanding of place value.

10 Picture Books to Help Teach Place Value

Using picture books is a fantastic way to reinforce place value concepts. Here are ten great books to incorporate into your lessons:

1. “Zero the Hero” – Joan Holub
   Concepts: The importance of zero, number relationships
2. “Place Value” – David A. Adler
   Concepts: Understanding digit positions, grouping numbers
3. “A Place for Zero” – Angeline Sparagna LoPresti
   Concepts: Zero’s role in the place value system
4. “How Much Is a Million?” – David M. Schwartz
   Concepts: Large numbers, place value in context
5. “One is a Snail, Ten is a Crab” – April Pulley Sayre & Jeff Sayre
   Concepts: Skip counting, grouping in tens
6. “Tens and Ones” – Meg Greve
   Concepts: Breaking numbers into tens and ones
7. “If You Were a Plus Sign” – Trisha Speed Shaskan
   Concepts: Combining numbers, early addition and place value
8. “Monster Math” – Anne Miranda
   Concepts: Counting, grouping numbers
9. “Sir Cumference and All the King’s Tens” – Cindy Neuschwander
   Concepts: Counting in tens, understanding place value in real-life scenarios
10. “The King’s Commissioners” – Aileen Friedman
    Concepts: Place value, grouping numbers into tens and hundreds

Key Takeaways for Teaching Place Value in Year 1

Teaching place value in Year 1 is a critical step in developing strong numeracy skills. By following a structured sequence and using engaging hands-on activities, teachers can help students build confidence in working with numbers. Aligning lessons with the Australian Curriculum ensures students develop a deep and lasting understanding of place value, setting them up for success in later years.

Looking for ready-to-use place-value activities? Download our Place Value Teaching Resource below and start making place value engaging and fun in your classroom today!