Finishing Touches on Place Value....for now

Actually, place value and knowing the actual value of digits in numbers is something we will continue to use a lot throughout the year, so it is an important concept. We'll also be comparing and ordering numbers this week...another concept which requires knowledge of place value.

Last week was unexpectedly a very short week, to say the least! And, I realize I didn't make a post last Sunday. After meeting with some parents the week before, I came to realize that many parents have not been receiving my email with the link to the blog. So, rather than continue to use SAS, I have created a separate group with your emails and I will contact you that way and send you any updates to the blog.

This week we will continue practicing representing numbers in various ways:

• standard form (regular numeric form, such as 341)
• written or word form (three hundred forty-one)
• expanded form (300 + 40 + 1)
• using Base Ten blocks

We've also been mixing things up a bit and trying to wrap our heads around different ways of representing the same number. For example, with Base Ten blocks, 341, could be represented using 3 flats, 4 rods, and 1 little cube. But, it could also be represented using 1 flat, 24 rods, and 1 little cube. Or, no flats, 33 rods, and 11 little cubes. The object is, there is not only one way to represent a number and, if it suits a particular situation, it may be helpful to be able to deconstruct a number in a different way.

To give a different example, 341 can be expanded to 150 + 150 + 20 + 20 + 1.

As we begin to concentrate more on mental math, being able to break up a number in different ways will be very important for your child.

Check out the sites in the "Websites" tab above. There are some games there and a Base Ten tool for the kids. I made a suggestion in an earlier post about how the Base Ten site could be used. I'll add more websites as we go along. If you are okay with your child using any of these resources for extra practice, that would be great. If you or your child know of any online math games that are useful, please let me know so I can post them on this blog for everyone to access.

I told the kids last week that going on the blog to do some math practice can be a great way to spend 10 or 15 minutes on a rainy day or a storm day. I haven't given any homework to take home yet, but using some of these online games can double as homework and be fun too :-)

Have a great week!