Welcome to the Breaking Down the Standards Series. In this post, we will cover How to Teach First Grade Place Value to 120. We’ll use base ten blocks and digits to model and represent numbers respectively. You’ll get the skinny on the TEKS and Common Core Standards, which are the stepping-stones to effective math lessons.
1. First Grade Place Value Standards:
To see the First Grade Place Value Standards for the Common Core and the TEKS, click the image above.
2. The Vertical Alignment for First Grade Place Value
Vertical Alignment for First Grade Place Value is so important when planning your lessons. We need to examine not only the first-grade standards, but also Kindergarten and 2nd grade standards as well. You need to know what your students should already know and also what they should know when their first-grade year is over. Vertical alignment looks at the Kindergarten Standards as well as the Second Grade Standards and sets you and your students up for SUCCESS! Click the image above to see the Vertical Alignment.
Kindergarten: Up to 20
- Compose and decompose numbers through 20 using tens and ones.
- Count forwards and backwards within 20.
- Subitize – recognize instantly the quantity of a small group of objects in organized and random arrangements
- Generate a number one more / one less to 20.
- Compare sets up to 20 and use comparative language.
1st Grade: From 20 to 120
Need to Learn: See #3 – The Breakdown
2nd Grade: From 120 to 1,200
- Understand that 3-digit numbers represent hundreds, tens and ones.
- Cout within 1,000.
- Skip-count by 5s, 10s and 100s to 1,000.
- Read and write numbers to 1,000 / 1,200 using base ten, standard form, written form and expanded form.
- Compare three-digit numbers using <, >, =.
- Compose and decompose numbers to 1,200.
- Compare and order numbers to 1,200.
- Locate and name the position of a given 3-digit whole number on an open number line.
3. The Breakdown: First Grade Place Value to 120
When examining the standards to create the most productive and engaging lessons, keep your eye on the verbs. I’ve highlighted them in red. The verbs tell what your students will be doing to learn the standards.
When first graders leave first grade, they should be able to: (focus on the verbs in red)
- Add within 100 without regrouping
- Subtract multiples of 10 in the range 10-90 Example: 50 – 10 = 40
- Understand that the two digits of a two-digit number represent amounts of tens and ones
- Recognize instantly the quantity of structured arrangements (Subatizing)
- Use concrete and pictorial models to compose and decompose numbers up to 120 in more than one way as so many hundreds, so many tens, and so many ones
- Use objects, pictures, and expanded and standard forms to represent numbers up to 120
- Generate a number that is greater than or less than a given whole number up to 120
- Use place value to compare whole numbers up to 120 using comparative language
- Order whole numbers up to 120 using place value and open number lines
- Represent the comparison of two numbers to 100 using the symbols >, <, = or Compare two two-digit numbers based on meanings of the tens and ones digits, recording the results of comparisons with the symbols >, =, and <.
First Grade Place Value Recommended Progression:
Place Value to:
- 20 (l to 2 days or as needed)
- 50 (2 to 3 days or as needed)
- 100 (1 Week or more as needed)
- 120 (2 weeks or more as needed)
Each day, work on the following:
- Composing and Decomposing using manipulatives
- Ordering Number using a number line
- Comparing using <, >, =
- Generating numbers more and less than a given number
- Generate a number 10 more and 10 less than a given number to 120
- Subatize using base ten, ten frames, random items, etc.
Let’s Get Started
Introduce Place Value with a Place Value Chart and Base Ten Blocks. Here are some FREE Base Ten Posters to help you out.
Place Value Manipulatives – The words “Using Objects“ is used over and over in the standards when the focus is on place value. Make sure you have some kind of manipulatives for your student to use as they represent numbers to 120.
My Favorite Manipulatives:
- Base Ten Blocks
- Magnetic Base Ten Blocks
- Place Value Flip Chart
- 100 / 120 Chart (I like to keep a pile of small 120 Charts that kids can use, mark up and then throw away.) Grab yours here.
Favorite Place Value Helpers
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Ahead of time, place one flat, 10 longs, and 10 units in a baggie, ready to pass out to students. These will be used to model numbers to 120.
4. Mini Lesson – Introduce First Grade Place Value
Print the number cards ahead of time. Pass out base ten blocks to students. Partner students if you don’t have enough or use digital version.
Mini Lesson Idea:
Use the number cards and base ten blocks to complete 4 different mini lessons.
- 10 to 20 (11, 14, 17 and 20 – students will also be asked if the number is odd or even one each card in this set.)
- 20 to 50 (23, 34, 41, 48)
- 50 to 100 (55, 64, 79, 91)
- 100 to 120 (101, 108, 114, 118)
5. First Grade Place Value Practice
For your 1st graders to master the Common Core and TEKS Standards for place value, they will need plenty of practice.
This includes:
- Standard Form
- Written Form
- Expanded Form
- Use manipulatives to represent number to 120
- Composing and decomposing numbers to 120
This can be done in a systematic way by using the graphic organizer provided. Click the image below to grab the FREEBIE.
6. First Grade Place Value Small Group Instruction
Your first-grade students need to be able to represent numbers two different ways. Doing this with base ten blocks, will help them understand regrouping because they can interchange the flat for 10 tens and the long for ten ones.
To keep practicing Place Value and the Related Skills, you might also like these:
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Digital Place Value Resources
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7. The Learning Centers: First Grade Place Value
What kid doesn’t like Superheroes? These Superhero Task Cards cover a ton of skills, some with base ten and some with other types of representations. Tally Marks, Ten Frames, etc. Check out the video to see some of the cards in the set.
Here’s How to Use the Task Cards:
Students will grab a recording sheet. They will color in the box once they have completed a card. Students will write the answer in their math notebook and show their work. Teacher can spot check the notebook of students who might not stay on task.
Keep Practicing Place Value
As you work through the place value unit, you’ll want to keep practicing.
Here are some great resources for learning centers from my friend Carol (The Chocolate Teacher)
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8. The Fun: Scoot and Sort – First Grade Place Value / Odd and Even Numbers
Need a fun activity to keep your students engaged? Scoot activities are always a big hit with first graders! With this resource, your students will scoot around your classroom gathering the answers for their recording sheet. Once they’ve recorded all of the answers, they will sort the two-digit answers into two groups: odd and even. It’s HALF PRICE for a limited time.
Don’t forget to pin the image below to your Teaching Resources board for future use.
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AND Grab these Free First Grade Place Value Worksheets!
Thank you for stopping by!
-Carrie Lutz
Disclosure: Carrie Lutz is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a small commission on products purchased through Amazon.com and other affiliated websites. You do not pay more when purchasing products through these links.
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