Understanding Numbers

Subject

Religious Education

Year Level

Year 4

Duration

20 minutes

Class Size

30 students

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Curriculum Links (New Zealand Curriculum, Mathematics and Statistics Domain)

Learning Area: Number and Algebra

• Number structure: Identify, read, write, compare, and order whole numbers up to 10,000, and represent them using base 10 structure.
• Support students to practise saying, reading, and writing given numbers including large numbers using place value (PV) houses.
• Use PV houses to generalise that multiplying by 10 moves each digit one place to the left, dividing by 10 moves it one place to the right .

Key Competencies (NZC)

• Using language, symbols, and texts: Engage students in using mathematical vocabulary to describe place value concepts, supporting their conceptual understanding and communication.
• Thinking: Foster thinking about numbers and their structure through hands-on activities and investigation.
• Managing self and Relating to others: Encourage group/peer activities and discussion for collaborative learning.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify and read numbers up to 5 digits confidently.
2. Understand and explain the place value of each digit in a number up to 99,999.
3. Represent numbers using physical place value materials (PV houses or base-10 blocks).
4. Compare and order numbers using position in place value and number lines.
5. Use mathematical language accurately (e.g., ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, ten thousands).

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Lesson Outline

Time (minutes)	Activity	Details	Resources
0–3	Introduction & Learning Goals	Briefly introduce the concept of place value up to 5 digits. State learning intention: “Today we will learn how to read, write, and understand large numbers.”	Slideshow Slide 1: Learning goals
3–7	Interactive Slideshow Presentation	Use animated slides to:

• Show numbers up to 5 digits.
• Highlight and explain place values using “PV houses” visuals.
• Include language prompts: "What digit is in the thousands place?", "How many ten thousands are there?" | Slideshow Slides 2–7 | | 7–12 | Hands-on Group Activity: Build Numbers | In small groups (3–4 students):
• Use place value materials (base-10 blocks or PV cards).
• Teacher calls out a 5-digit number, students build and display their number.
• Each group explains the place values.
  | Base-10 blocks / PV cards | | 12–16 | Worksheet Activity | Individual worksheet where students:
• Read written numbers and identify digits in specific places.
• Fill in PV charts to represent given numbers.
• Compare two 5-digit numbers and decide which is larger. | Year 4 Place Value Worksheet | | 16–20 | Plenary and Formative Assessment | Whole-class discussion:
• Share what students learnt and found challenging.
• Recap vocabulary.
• Quick quiz using number cards: Teacher shows a card, students shout out the place and value of a digit. | Number flashcards |

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Differentiation and Support

• For students needing extra help: Provide additional manipulatives and one-on-one guidance during the hands-on activity.
• For extension: Challenge advanced students to write numbers in expanded form or compare/combine numbers using addition/subtraction of place values.

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Assessment

• Formative assessment during group explanations and worksheet review.
• Teacher notes correct use of vocabulary and accuracy in identifying place values.
• Observe students' ability to correctly build numbers and explain place values during hands-on activities.

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Notes for Teachers

• Incorporate use of students’ first or heritage language terms for number and place value to solidify understanding.
• Use think-aloud strategies during the presentation to model reasoning about numbers.
• Encourage students to use words like “about”, “more or less” when discussing estimates for added context to place value concepts.
• Use the place value knowledge to make sense of addition or subtraction of larger numbers in future lessons.

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Summary

This concise 20-minute lesson on place value up to 5 digits supports Year 4 students to develop a deep understanding of number structure in line with the New Zealand Curriculum’s Mathematics and Statistics strand. The combination of an engaging slideshow, interactive hands-on group work, and focused individual worksheet activity ensures active learning and assessment within the short timeframe. The lesson also integrates key competencies and language development to support comprehensive learning success.

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If you want, I can also help draft the slideshow content and worksheet to match this plan precisely.