Cluster 2: Understand place value. (Major Cluster)Archived

Clusters should not be sorted from Major to Supporting and then taught in that order. To do so would strip the coherence of the mathematical ideas and miss the opportunity to enhance the major work of the grade with the supporting clusters.

General Information
Number: MAFS.1.NBT.2
Title: Understand place value. (Major Cluster)
Type: Cluster
Subject: Mathematics - Archived
Grade: 1
Domain-Subdomain: Number and Operations in Base Ten

Related Standards

This cluster includes the following benchmarks.

Related Access Points

This cluster includes the following access points.

Access Points

MAFS.1.NBT.2.AP.2a

Build representations of numbers up to 31 by creating a group of 10 and some ones(e.g., 13 = one 10 and three 1s).


MAFS.1.NBT.2.AP.2b
Identify the value of the numbers in the tens and one place within a given number up to 31.

MAFS.1.NBT.2.AP.3a
Compare two-digit numbers up to 31 using representations and numbers (e.g., identify more 10s, less 10s, more 1s, fewer 1s, larger number, smaller number).

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this topic.

Educational Software / Tool

Hundreds Chart:

A printable hundreds chart featuring a 10x10 table numbered 1 to 100. (found on Illuminations website under "Trading for Quarters")

Type: Educational Software / Tool

Formative Assessments

Decompose Two-Digit Numbers:

Students are asked to decompose two-digit numbers in three different ways.

Type: Formative Assessment

How Many Tens and Ones Are There?:

Students are asked to determine how many tens and ones there are in three different two-digit numbers.

Type: Formative Assessment

Inequalities with Base Ten Blocks:

Students count two sets of base ten blocks, write the number for each set, and then use symbols (inequality or equality) to compare the two numbers.

Type: Formative Assessment

Using Symbols to Compare Numbers:

Students are asked to compare numbers by examining the digits in the tens and ones places and then use the greater than, less than, or equal to symbols to write an inequality statement.

Type: Formative Assessment

Tens and Ones with Base Ten Blocks:

Students use base ten blocks to compare two sets of numbers.

Type: Formative Assessment

Tens and Ones:

Students are asked to identify numbers that have been modeled by base ten blocks and model numbers using base ten blocks.

Type: Formative Assessment

Put Objects Into Bundles of Ten:

Students circle objects in bundles of 10, determine how many groups of 10 objects there are, and report the total number of objects.

Type: Formative Assessment

Making Tens:

Students are asked to use base ten blocks to model numbers and are then asked to identify a number that has been modeled for them.

Type: Formative Assessment

Laps Around The Track:

Students compare two two-digit numbers that have the same ones-digit.

Type: Formative Assessment

How Many Tens and Ones?:

Students examine two different two-digit numbers and describe the number of tens and ones in each number.

Type: Formative Assessment

Greater, Less, or Equal:

Students find numbers given specific criteria and use inequality symbols to compare numbers.

Type: Formative Assessment

Lesson Plans

Greedy Gator:

In this lesson, students will use their knowledge of 2 digit numbers to compare numbers. Students will discover the Greater Than, Equal To, and Less Than symbols with Alfie in the story Alfie the Alligator: A Teaching Rhyme About Comparing Numbers.

Type: Lesson Plan

X-Ray Superpower:

With the teacher's modeling, students will be able to understand that teen numbers are made up of a unit of ten and some more ones.

Type: Lesson Plan

Pete's Brand New Shoes:

Pete the Cat wants a new pair of shoes and needs the students' help selecting the right ones for him. Students will work with a team to select the best shoes for Pete. Students will use symbols to compare the costs of shoes within 100.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Type: Lesson Plan

Fill It Up - Piñatas!:

This MEA focuses on students' problem solving skills. After reading a story about what is in a piñata, students are asked to help a company find the best way to fill a piñata. It focuses on math skills, including counting and adding three numbers to make 20.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Type: Lesson Plan

Counting Coral Reef Babies:

Students will listen to the book Over in the Ocean in a Coral Reef, by Marianne Berkes. They will participate in an inquiry to figure out how many baby animals are in the book. They will show the number of animals in the book in groups of ten and some left over. This lesson is a beginning place value and addition lesson for first grade. 

Type: Lesson Plan

The Greater Than and Less Than Shuffle:

This activity practices using place value to compare 2-digit numbers and creating comparison statements using greater than, less than, or equal to symbols.

Type: Lesson Plan

Best Babysitter:

Teams of students will use math to solve an open-ended, real-world problem to help their parent or caregiver choose the best babysitter. Students will apply mathematical skills of place value (two-digit number tens and ones) and counting to perform math calculations while analyzing data sets. This MEA will facilitate students demonstrating higher level critical thinking and problem solving during class discussions and in writing.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Type: Lesson Plan

Twisty Cup 2-Digit Place Value:

In this lesson, students will make their own twisty cups, manipulate them to display 2-digit numbers, represent the numbers made using base ten blocks and unit blocks and record the displayed base ten numerals.

Type: Lesson Plan

Finding Ten More and Ten Less with Justen:

In this lesson, students will use manipulatives to decompose two-digit numbers into tens and ones. The students will then find ten more or ten less by adding or subtracting “just ten”. This will also be demonstrated on a hundreds chart.

Type: Lesson Plan

How Many Days? Calendar Place Value:

This is not a stand-alone lesson that delves in depth with the standard, but rather a daily activity to be used for the entire school year. It describes work that can be done with the calendar each day.

Type: Lesson Plan

Musical Place Value:

Remember playing musical chairs? Well, now do it while practicing place value. Students will practice making 2-digit numbers using base-ten blocks through this fun and engaging interactive activity.

Type: Lesson Plan

Place Value WAR!:

Who doesn't love the card game War? Use it to help enhance your teaching of comparing numbers within 100 using place value with this engaging and interactive lesson.

Type: Lesson Plan

Pizza Party Planners:

In the story Curious George and the Pizza Party (by Rey, H.A., and Margret Rey), Curious George attends a pizza party for a friend. Now the man with the yellow hat wants to plan his own pizza party for Curious George, but he needs the students' help. Help the man with the yellow hat use the data about the different pizza companies in his area to rank the options from best to worst, considering the toppings offered, crust options, prices, and customer satisfaction ratings. Then the students will use the special promotions from each pizza company and their math skills to figure out which pizza place offers the best deals. Each team of students will write letters to the man with the yellow hat explaining how they ranked the companies and why they chose their rankings to help him choose the best pizza for George's party.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Type: Lesson Plan

Arthur's Perfect Pet:

In the story Arthur's Pet Business, Arthur shows his parents that he is responsible enough to deserve a pet dog and his mom gives him permission to get one. However, Arthur needs your help choosing the perfect dog. Help Arthur meet all the requirements needed to find the perfect pet for his family from the research he shares with you about the breeds they are considering, taking into consideration size, shedding, barking, friendliness, etc. Then write a justification to describe why you chose the perfect pet for Arthur and his family.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Type: Lesson Plan

Hungry Alligators: Greater Than, Less Than and Equal:

In this lesson, students will learn to compare two, two-digit numbers and record their comparisons with >, < and="symbols." students="" will="" easily="" determine="" which="" two-digit="" number="" is="" larger="" based="" on="" comparing="" the="" tens="" and="">

Type: Lesson Plan

Ten is a Friend!:

Students will learn about the concept of ones and tens and how 10 is a friendly number that we can utilize in various ways in mathematics. They will physically manipulate snap cubes to make a ten train and add on randomly selected ones that will include the numbers 11-19. After that students will draw representations of the numbers 11-19 and finally write the two-digit number that a ten train and a selected group of ones will create.

Type: Lesson Plan

Ten-Hut!:

This lesson allows students to gain insight into how to use place value when adding a two-digit number and a one-digit number. The focus is on students using their bodies, as well as math manipulatives, to solve addition problems within 100 that do not require regrouping.

Type: Lesson Plan

Fishing for Tens and Ones:

In this paired activity, students will explore two digit numbers and how they are composed of tens and ones using place value disks. Students will also use terms and symbols to compare two digit numbers using the place value of the tens and ones digits.

Type: Lesson Plan

Two-Digit Place Value with Ten Frames:

The students will use ten frames to show place value of two digit numbers 0-100. Students will use different manipulatives to show place value of two digit numbers. The students will be able to recognize the correct place value for a two digit numbers.

Type: Lesson Plan

Who has more?:

The students will be able to create and compare two digit numbers using the symbols <,>, =.

Type: Lesson Plan

Fill the Bus (Exploring 2-digit Numbers):

Students will practice and explore base ten concepts and 2-digit numbers by filling ten frame buses with counters and then describing the total values in terms of tens and ones. After initial guided practice, students will play a game to fill ten buses, demonstrating the composition of each 2-digit value using objects and expressions.

Type: Lesson Plan

How Many in Your Cup?:

Students will explore the meaning of the digits in two-digit numbers as they determine the total number of objects in cups by making groups of ten. They will use the groups of ten and singles left over to figure out the total amount and then record the total in expanded form and standard form. Students will read numbers written in standard form to connect each numeral to its word name. Teacher questioning and students' discussions will help students develop an understanding of place value (tens and ones).

Type: Lesson Plan

Unpacking Tens!:

In this lesson students will use Digiblocks (place value blocks) to decompose values into tens and ones along place value lines. Students will break numbers into multiple place value decompositions. Students will also be asked to decide if 3 tens and 31 ones is one way to show the number 63. Students will be asked to solve and justify their thinking.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorials

Race Car Competition - Part 2 Using Number Lines to Order Numbers:

Learn how to order and compare numbers from least to greatest using number lines and place value with the students in Mr. Rivera’s class in this interactive tutorial.

This is Part 3 of 3 in the tutorial series. Click below to open parts 1 and 3.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Block Building Blast - Part 3:

Help Amari, Sonia, and their friends compose and decompose 2-digit numbers in equivalent ways to compete in a base ten block building contest with this interactive tutorial.

This is part 3 of 3. Click below to view the other tutorials in this series.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Block Building Blast - Part 2:

Explore ways to break apart 2-digit numbers into tens and ones to help Amari and Sonia build base ten block towers in this interactive tutorial.

This is part 2 of 3. Click below to view the other tutorials in this series.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Block Building Blast - Part 1:

Help Amari and Sonia build base-ten block towers using their knowledge of 2-digit place value in this interactive tutorial.

This is part 1 of 3. Click below to view the other tutorials in this series.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Race Car Competition - Part 3 Comparing Statements:

Learn how to order to compare numbers using >, <, and = symbols with Mr. Rivera’s class as they build and test racing cars in this interactive tutorial. 

This is Part 3 of 3 in the tutorial series. Click below to open parts 1 and 2.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Race Car Competition - Part 1 Number Lines:

Learn how to plot numbers on number lines using data from race cars in this interactive tutorial.

This is part 1 of 3 in a series of tutorials on plotting and comparing numbers. Click below to open the other tutorials in the series.

  • Part 2 (Coming soon)
  • Part 3 (Coming soon)

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Exploring Expanded Form in Space:

Astronaut Archimedes launches into space to teach the outside world all about place value and expanded form in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea

Counting Tens: Zero the Hero:

Put on your best cape and zip around with Zero the Hero to learn about the decade numbers!

Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.

Type: Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea

Presentation/Slideshow

Regroup Ones as Tens:

This quick slide show demonstrates for students how to use base ten blocks to regroup, trade, or change groups of 1's into 10's. When you have more than 10 ones base ten blocks, students should regroup or change, 10 ones to 1 ten. User clicks through the slides.

Type: Presentation/Slideshow

Problem-Solving Tasks

Where Do I Go?:

This activity is designed to be a short, repeatable activity to build student flexibility with the number sequence. Begin by randomly giving each student in the classroom one card from one of the sets you have made. Challenge the students to get themselves into order as quickly as they can.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Ordering Numbers:

The purpose of this task is to give students an opportunity to compare numbers less than 100 to benchmark numbers. Even though a number line is not explicitly given in the task, it is useful for students to list the numbers in the order they would appear on the number line; this allows them to focus on the relative ordering without worrying about the exact placement on the number line.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Teaching Idea

Playing with Tens and Ones:

Students will participate in a variety of activities to learn more about 2-digit numbers, including dropping counters in a bucket as they go in and out of class to accumulate groups of objects to group and count, connecting their findings to a hundred chart, and exploring our base ten system through various learning tasks.

Type: Teaching Idea

Tutorials

Place Value Example with 25:

In this tutorial, you will learn to see 25 as 2 tens and 5 ones.

Type: Tutorial

Monkeys for a party:

In this tutorial video from Khan Academy, explore place value relationships with tens and ones within 20.

Type: Tutorial

Teens as sums with 10:

In this tutorial video from Khan Academy, place value patterns are explored in "teen" numbers.

Type: Tutorial

Video/Audio/Animation

Candy Shipping:

Choose the correct amount of candy to package in the box. The truck will deliver the correctly filled packages.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this topic.

Original Student Tutorials

Race Car Competition - Part 2 Using Number Lines to Order Numbers:

Learn how to order and compare numbers from least to greatest using number lines and place value with the students in Mr. Rivera’s class in this interactive tutorial.

This is Part 3 of 3 in the tutorial series. Click below to open parts 1 and 3.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Block Building Blast - Part 3:

Help Amari, Sonia, and their friends compose and decompose 2-digit numbers in equivalent ways to compete in a base ten block building contest with this interactive tutorial.

This is part 3 of 3. Click below to view the other tutorials in this series.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Block Building Blast - Part 2:

Explore ways to break apart 2-digit numbers into tens and ones to help Amari and Sonia build base ten block towers in this interactive tutorial.

This is part 2 of 3. Click below to view the other tutorials in this series.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Block Building Blast - Part 1:

Help Amari and Sonia build base-ten block towers using their knowledge of 2-digit place value in this interactive tutorial.

This is part 1 of 3. Click below to view the other tutorials in this series.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Race Car Competition - Part 3 Comparing Statements:

Learn how to order to compare numbers using >, <, and = symbols with Mr. Rivera’s class as they build and test racing cars in this interactive tutorial. 

This is Part 3 of 3 in the tutorial series. Click below to open parts 1 and 2.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Race Car Competition - Part 1 Number Lines:

Learn how to plot numbers on number lines using data from race cars in this interactive tutorial.

This is part 1 of 3 in a series of tutorials on plotting and comparing numbers. Click below to open the other tutorials in the series.

  • Part 2 (Coming soon)
  • Part 3 (Coming soon)

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Exploring Expanded Form in Space:

Astronaut Archimedes launches into space to teach the outside world all about place value and expanded form in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Educational Software / Tool

Hundreds Chart:

A printable hundreds chart featuring a 10x10 table numbered 1 to 100. (found on Illuminations website under "Trading for Quarters")

Type: Educational Software / Tool

Problem-Solving Task

Ordering Numbers:

The purpose of this task is to give students an opportunity to compare numbers less than 100 to benchmark numbers. Even though a number line is not explicitly given in the task, it is useful for students to list the numbers in the order they would appear on the number line; this allows them to focus on the relative ordering without worrying about the exact placement on the number line.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Tutorials

Place Value Example with 25:

In this tutorial, you will learn to see 25 as 2 tens and 5 ones.

Type: Tutorial

Monkeys for a party:

In this tutorial video from Khan Academy, explore place value relationships with tens and ones within 20.

Type: Tutorial

Teens as sums with 10:

In this tutorial video from Khan Academy, place value patterns are explored in "teen" numbers.

Type: Tutorial

Video/Audio/Animation

Candy Shipping:

Choose the correct amount of candy to package in the box. The truck will deliver the correctly filled packages.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this topic.

Educational Software / Tool

Hundreds Chart:

A printable hundreds chart featuring a 10x10 table numbered 1 to 100. (found on Illuminations website under "Trading for Quarters")

Type: Educational Software / Tool

Problem-Solving Tasks

Where Do I Go?:

This activity is designed to be a short, repeatable activity to build student flexibility with the number sequence. Begin by randomly giving each student in the classroom one card from one of the sets you have made. Challenge the students to get themselves into order as quickly as they can.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Ordering Numbers:

The purpose of this task is to give students an opportunity to compare numbers less than 100 to benchmark numbers. Even though a number line is not explicitly given in the task, it is useful for students to list the numbers in the order they would appear on the number line; this allows them to focus on the relative ordering without worrying about the exact placement on the number line.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Tutorials

Monkeys for a party:

In this tutorial video from Khan Academy, explore place value relationships with tens and ones within 20.

Type: Tutorial

Teens as sums with 10:

In this tutorial video from Khan Academy, place value patterns are explored in "teen" numbers.

Type: Tutorial