To make learning place value fun, exciting and meaningful is a priority in Grade 4. Place value is often not well represented in text books and math programs yet it is a foundational and key element in a strong mathematical understanding. When students start to really understand the value of the digits in numbers, math really does make sense. In our first few weeks of school students engaged in a variety of activities, they played a number of challenging games to cement these concepts and bring meaning to numbers. Here are a few examples.
In the 'roll a number' game, students use a 10-sided die to create a number of their choice: highest, lowest or closest to a particular number. Probability and chance are also important in this lively game. When the last roll comes around, students know exactly what they are hoping for to win the game!
After many math games and activities we try to journal to really think deeply about the concepts we have learned. We know that recording our experiences and reflecting on our learning enhances our mathematical thinking and communication skills.