Exciting Place Value Fun
Year Level: Year 2
Subject: Mathematics
Duration: 45 Minutes
Curriculum Alignment:
Australian Curriculum (Version 9.0)
Strand: Number and Algebra
Sub-strand: Number and Place Value
Content Descriptor: AC9M2N01
- Represent two-digit numbers in terms of their place value (tens and ones).
- Compare, order, and make two-digit numbers using materials, symbols, and language.
Elaboration: Identify and explain the place value of digits in two-digit numbers.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will:
- Recognise and describe two-digit numbers using place value language (e.g. tens and ones).
- Compare and order two-digit numbers, explaining reasoning.
- Develop their ability to visualise numbers on number lines.
- Explore and strengthen mathematical strategies through games and collaborative activities.
Materials
- Two 10-sided dice (alternatively, number cards or spinners)
- Number line (chalk for outdoor use or string with pegs)
- Laminated place value charts and dry-erase markers
- Base-10 materials (e.g. bundled sticks or interlocking blocks)
- Buccaneer Bower Bird Bingo boards (3x3 grids with number representations)
- Regular deck of playing cards (remove tens and picture cards)
- Two-digit number cards with numeral and number names
- Number spinners (1- & 2-digit numbers)
Lesson Outline
1. Warm-Up (5 Minutes): Quick Tens and Ones Quiz
Activity: Use flashcards with two-digit numbers to prompt students to identify the tens and ones.
- Teacher: “What is in the tens place in ’43’? How many ones does it have?”
Focus Questions:
- How many tens are in the number?
- How many ones are there?
Engagement Idea: Use a call-and-response technique or friendly competition (“Who can answer first?”) to build excitement.
2. Bundling Bingo Game (10 Minutes)
Activity: Distribute Buccaneer Bower Bird Bingo boards and counters to students.
- Explain the rules:
- Roll the two dice (or use spinners/cards) to generate a two-digit number.
- Students check if they have the number's visual/representation on their board. If they do, they place a counter on it.
- The first player to fill their board or create three-in-a-row wins!
Extension: Encourage students to explain the number in terms of place value before placing their counter: “59 means 5 tens and 9 ones.”
Teacher Tip: Model rolling the dice and explaining a number during the first round to build their confidence.
Focus Questions:
- How many tens are in the number?
- How many more ones are needed to make the next ten?
3. Number Line Exploration (10 Minutes)
Activity: Create a large number line on the floor (use chalk outside or string with peg increments for a hands-on experience).
- Hand out pre-prepared number cards (laminated for durability) to students.
- Ask students to take turns placing their number on the number line. Ensure numbers are arranged from smallest to largest.
Incorporate Class Inquiry: Ask questions as students place their numbers:
- “Who has a number greater than 50?”
- “Where does your number fall between 20 and 40?”
- “What number comes immediately before or after your card on the line?”
Extension:
- Construct a smaller hidden-segment number line (e.g. 40–60) and invite students to estimate placements without visible increments.
4. Make It Big or Small Game (10 Minutes)
Activity: In pairs or small groups, use a deck of cards to form two-digit numbers.
- Students decide whether they're creating the largest or smallest number.
- Each student draws three cards (e.g. 3, 7, 9) and uses any two to form a number.
- Compare numbers and determine whose number is the smallest or largest.
- Continue for three rounds.
Extension Variation: Use a “winner decides” card (e.g. “middle” or “bigger”) to make decisions more dynamic.
Focus Questions:
- How did you decide which number is larger or smaller?
- Why did you choose 7 tens instead of 9 ones in this instance?
5. Linking Language and Representation (8 Minutes)
Activity: Distribute two-digit number cards.
- Students represent the number on a laminated place value chart using base-10 materials.
- Verbally state their number’s breakdown: “4 tens and 3 ones make forty-three.”
- Remove one “one” and identify the new number (“42”).
Small Group Work:
- Have students order their numbers from smallest to largest.
- Represent these numbers as drawings of base-10 bundles AND place them on a number line.
Consolidation Opportunity: Students share diagrams in groups and explain their reasoning for the sequence and their number line placements.
Focus Questions:
- Where does your number go on the number line?
- What happens when you remove 1 one from your number?
6. Comparison Challenge (2 Minutes)
Activity: Use the Number Spinner (1- & 2-digit numbers).
- Spin twice to generate two numbers.
- Students decide which number is smaller and explain their reasoning.
- Bonus task: Identify a number that could fit between the two values.
Teacher Language Example: “Which is smaller, 5 tens and 8 ones or 3 tens and 7 ones?”
Conclusion (Final Minute)
Review Questions:
- What strategies did you use to find where numbers belong on the number line?
- How can tens and ones help us compare numbers?
- If we add 1 more ten to 43, what’s the new number?
Exit Ticket: Ask each student to write on a sticky note:
- One thing they learned today about numbers.
- A two-digit number represented in expanded form (e.g. 4 tens + 3 ones).
Differentiation Opportunities
For Struggling Students: Work in small groups with teacher support focusing on hands-on number manipulation using base-10 materials.
For Advanced Students: Extend comparisons to include three-digit numbers or explore subtraction scenarios (e.g. “How many more is 58 compared to 34?”).
Assessment Opportunities
- Observe students’ responses during 'Number Line Exploration' and small group tasks.
- Use exit tickets to assess individual understanding of place value.
- Monitor reasoning and communication during games like ‘Bundling Bingo’ and ‘Make It Big or Small.’
By combining interactive games, hands-on activities, and open-ended questioning, this lesson offers a fun yet rigorous exploration of place value, fostering collaborative learning and critical thinking amongst Year 2 students.