Place Value Primer for Teachers & Parents

📝 This post, Place Value Primer, was originally published in 2012 and has been updated with new information and resources.

I am embarrassed to say that I did not understand Place Value until I had to teach it to third graders over 20 years ago. Yes, I could go through all the steps and find the correct answer, but the meaning behind it? I had no idea. I think that is part of the problem with the way math “used to be” taught, and thankfully, for children today,  that has changed. Now that I understand place value, it is one of my favorite math concepts to teach.

Place Value Refresher

What is Place Value?

In our decimal number system, the value of each digit depends on its place or position in the number. Each place is worth 10 times the place to its right.

📝 A digit is the single symbol used as a building block to construct numbers, just like letters are to words.
📝  A number is the amount or value and can be made up of one or more digits.
📝  So, all digits are numbers, but not all numbers are single digits!

What Does Place Value Look Like?

Basically, it means that each digit in a number has a value based on its position in the number.

So let’s take the number 8,426,431

The 1 is in the ones place and has a value of 1.

The 3 is in the tens place and has a value of 30.

The 4 is in the hundreds place and has a value of 400.

The 6 is in the thousands place and has a value of 6,000.

The 2 is in the ten thousands place and has a value of 20,000.

The 4 is in the hundred thousands place and has a value of 400,000.

The 8 is in the millions place and has a value of 8,000,000.

Place Value Blocks

There are many, many different ways to teach about place value. In my mind, the first and best way is to teach using “base ten blocks.” You will find these base ten blocks in almost every classroom.  The blocks come in sets of ones, tens, hundreds, and thousands. 

Students first learn how to “make numbers” using base ten blocks. When making these numbers, they are learning about the value of each digit in each number as well as the value of the whole number.

Understanding this concept helps students prepare for adding and subtracting numbers, especially those with more than one digit. 

Take this math problem, for example.  24 + 13 =37

✏️ Make the number 24 (2 tens and 4 ones),
✏️ Make the number 13 (1 ten and 3 ones) just below.
✏️ Group the ones together to make 7.
✏️ Group the tens together to make 30.
✏️ 30 + 7 = 37 (3 tens and 7 ones). 

This is how students first learn to add using base ten blocks!  

📝This works the opposite way for subtraction.

Where Can I Get Base Ten Blocks?

There are many places you can get Base Ten Blocks.  They often come in large quantities for classrooms and can be costly.  But don’t fret! Here are some ways you can MAKE your own.

💡Sugar Cube Base Ten Blocks: Use sugar cubes and glue them together in ones, tens, and hundreds.

💡Play Blocks Base Ten Blocks: If you have a set of wooden blocks, you can use 3 different block sizes as your own base ten set.

💡Straws Bundles: The sets don’t have to be made from cubes- although I highly recommend them for the younger children. You can cut a straw into smaller pieces for ones; bundle 10 straws with a rubber band for tens; and bundle 10 bundles of tens for hundreds.  You can use popsicle sticks, Q-tips, or any other item you can bundle.

💡Paper “Blocks”: Download the base ten blocks template here. Print them on heavy paper for easier manipulation and durability.

Using the Base Ten Blocks

Now that you know about Place Value and you have some manipulatives, here are a few simple games you can play with your child.

Materials Needed:

✔️ place value mat (download here)
✔️ number cards (download here)
✔️ base ten blocks

📝 When using base ten blocks on the place value mat, remember that there can only be one digit in each column! See our post, Everything You Need to Know About Place Value Counting Strips, for more information.

📝 Start with only one digit in the ones place. Once your child understands that adding on the tens place, then the hundreds place, when they are ready.

📝 Always start in the ones place when making numbers!

Making Numbers (Base Ten Blocks to Numbers)

Objective: To count the ones and tens on the place value mat and match with the correct number.

✏️ Put the place value mat on the table with one set of the number cards 0-9.
✏️ Place some ones in the ones place (0-9).
✏️ Place some tens in the tens place (0-9).
✏️ Have your student count the ones and put the correct number card below.
✏️ Have your student count the tens and put the correct number card below.
✏️ Read the newly created number.
✏️ Repeat!

Building Numbers (Numbers to Base Ten Blocks)

Objective: To build a number on the place value mat with base ten blocks.

✏️ Put the place value mat on the table with the base ten blocks.
✏️ Place a number card in the ones place. (0-9).
✏️ Place a number card in the tens place  (0-9).
✏️ Have your student build the number that matches the cards.
✏️ Repeat!

Making Numbers with Dice (Base Ten Blocks to Numbers)

Objective: To create a number using base ten blocks based on the roll of a dice.

✏️ Put the place value mat and one die on the table.
✏️ Roll the die and put that many ones in the ones place, and place the correct number card below.
✏️ Roll the die and put that many tens in the tens place, and place the correct number card below.
✏️ Read the number.
✏️ Repeat!

How to Challenge Students

 💡If your student is ready, add the hundreds or even thousands place!
💡 Use a 9-sided die instead of a 6-sided die.

Place Value Websites to Explore:

💻 Math Playground Place Value Party Game
💻 Math.com: Place Value
💻 Brain Pop Jr: Place Value MY FAVORITE!
💻 Base Block: NLVM

Place value is one of those concepts that truly changes the way kids think about numbers — and now you have everything you need to get started! Have questions or want to share how it went in your classroom? Leave a comment below — I love hearing from you!

Looking for More Place Value Ideas?

Place Value Pocket

Place Value Robots