Discovering Place Value

Overview

Grade Level: Year 4
Subject: Mathematics
Duration: 60 Minutes
Curriculum Standards: Alberta Grade 4 - Number: Develop number sense (Number: General Outcome, Number Operations)

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Objectives

• Understand the concept of place value in numbers up to 10,000.
• Recognize and write numbers in expanded form.
• Identify the value of digits in particular places (units, tens, hundreds, thousands).

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Materials Needed

• Base ten blocks (ones, tens, hundreds, thousands)
• Place value charts
• Whiteboard and markers
• Number cards (0-9)
• Worksheet for independent practice
• Interactive place value app (optional)

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Lesson Outline

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. Warm-Up Activity:

   • Begin with a quick review of 3-digit numbers. Ask the students to state the place value of a digit in a number like 456.
   • Introduce 4-digit numbers. Write the number "4,567" on the board and discuss place values.

2. Engage with a Question:

   • Ask, "What happens to the value of a digit as we move from ones to tens, hundreds, and thousands?"
   • Allow students to think-pair-share their ideas briefly.

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Direct Instruction (15 minutes)

1. Concept Explanation:

   • Demonstrate the concept of place value using base ten blocks. Show how to build a number like 3,142 using thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones blocks.
   • Write the number on the board and break it into expanded form: 3,000 + 100 + 40 + 2.

2. Use Place Value Chart:

   • Display a large place value chart on the board. Place a number (e.g., 7,239) on the chart and ask students to identify the value of each digit.
   • Emphasize the role of zero in place keeping.

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Guided Practice (15 minutes)

1. Group Activity:

   • Split the class into small groups. Provide each group with base ten blocks and a set of number cards.
   • Ask them to build and represent a 4-digit number of their choice using blocks and write it in expanded form.
   • Rotate to monitor groups, providing assistance as needed.

2. Interactive Element:

   • If available, allow students to use an interactive place value app on tablets or smartboards to manipulate and practice forming numbers.

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Independent Practice (10 minutes)

• Distribute worksheets with a mix of problems requiring students to:
  • Write given numbers in expanded form.
  • Determine the value of underlined digits in multi-digit numbers.
  • Convert numbers from expanded form back to standard form.

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Conclusion (10 minutes)

1. Class Discussion:

   • Ask students to share a challenge they faced or what they found most interesting about place value today.
   • Summarize the key points: significance of each place, role of zero, expanded form.

2. Exit Ticket:

   • Each student writes down the expanded form of a new number you write on the board as their ticket to leave.

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Assessment

• Formative: Observations during group activity, responses in class discussion, and accuracy of worksheet completion.
• Summative: A short quiz in the next lesson to evaluate individual comprehension of place value.

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Differentiation

• For Advanced Learners: Provide numbers up to 100,000 and challenge them with naming, writing, and using expanded forms.
• For Struggling Learners: Work in smaller focus groups with additional support using concrete manipulatives.

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Reflection

After the lesson, note which activities students engaged with most effectively and adjust future lesson plans to focus on these strengths. Consider how the integration of technology assisted learning and plan for its expanded use in future lessons.