My class

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Archive : 2001 : October : 22

My class
By JulieP

I got this idea from my mentor, and it worked wonders with my lower students. I printed several numbers off of my computer, creating large flash cards. I also made a couple of comma flash cards. Then we made flash cards with
each place value on it. First, I had the kids put out the place value cards on the floor, in order. Then I give them a number, like 4,562 and they use the number flash cards to recreate that number by placing the appropriate numeral under each place value heading. Then I ask, The 6 is in which place value? One of the students would pick up the place value card over the six, and read

it out loud. You can also reverse this and ask which number is in the hundreds place....

Another idea, on each number that you give them, require that they write the place value above or below all numerals.

I think part of it might be your terminology. Their response of six, is correct, on a concrete level. Your students may not be ready to move on to abstract. Try always asking which place value the number is in. I know it may sound petty, but it was just the fix that my class needed. They were having a problem distinguishing between place value and value. To them, like your students, the value of six is six, no matter where it occurs in a number. But the place value started to help them differentiate.

Hope this helps, and good luck.