Math Grade 1: Number Sense
Concept 1: Counting & Number Recognition (1-20):
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Ten Black Dots by Donald Crews – Simple, rhythmic counting book that shows how numbers build from 1 to 10 through everyday objects.
How to use it: Point to each dot as you count together. After several readings, pause before the number and let your child fill it in. Ask "What could we make with 7 dots?"
View on Amazon |Read Aloud on YouTubeAnno's Counting Book by Mitsumasa Anno – Stunning, wordless book exploring number sense, seasons, and place value through increasingly complex scenes.
How to use it: Let your child tell the story by counting what they see. Return to the same pages across multiple readings—there's always something new to count and discover.
View on Amazon |Read Aloud on YouTubeChicka Chicka 1 2 3 by Bill Martin Jr. & Michael Sampson – Numbers race up a tree in this playful, energetic counting adventure with rhythm and repetition.
How to use it: Count along with the rhythm. Have your child act out the numbers climbing and tumbling. Practice counting backwards as the numbers fall down.
View on Amazon |Read Aloud on YouTubeFish Eyes: A Book You Can Count On by Lois Ehlert – Vibrant, die-cut fish introduce counting and simple addition concepts ("1 fish plus me makes 2").
How to use it: Count the fish on each page, then count again including "you." Trace fingers through the die-cut holes. Practice the "plus me" pattern with other objects.
View on Amazon |Read Aloud on YouTubeZero the Hero by Joan Holub – Fun story introducing zero as an important number with its own special role in the number system.
How to use it: Discuss what zero means—nothing, but also a placeholder. Count down to zero together. Look for zeros in everyday numbers (10, 20, 100). Play "zero games" where you start with objects and remove them all.
View on Amazon |Read Aloud on YouTubeQuack and Count by Keith Baker – Seven ducklings split into different groups, showing various ways to make 7 with rhyming text and bright illustrations.
How to use it: Count the ducks in each grouping. Emphasize that 7 stays the same even when arranged differently. Use toys to recreate the duck groupings (5 and 2, 3 and 4, etc.).
View on Amazon |Read Aloud on YouTube -
Snakes and Ladders Board Game by Winning Moves – Classic counting game where children move pieces along numbered spaces, reinforcing number sequence and recognition.
How to use it: Count spaces aloud as you move. Point to each number you land on. Practice "counting on" from your current position. For beginners, use a simplified version (numbers 1-20 only).
View on AmazonCounting Beads (Abacus) by Melissa & Doug – Wooden frame with sliding beads in rows of 10, perfect for hands-on counting, grouping, and early place value exploration.
How to use it: Slide beads one at a time while counting aloud. Practice making groups of 5 and 10. Count by ones, then by fives, then by tens. Show different ways to represent the same number across rows.
View on AmazonTiny Polka Dot by Math for Love – Transparent cards showing quantities as dot patterns, building subitizing skills and instant number recognition.
How to use it: Flash cards briefly—can your child recognize the quantity without counting? Start with 1-5, gradually add larger numbers. Layer cards to show addition. Arrange dots in different patterns to build flexible thinking.
View on AmazonPlace Value Dominoes by hand2mind – Dominoes featuring numbers in multiple representations (numeral, dots, ten-frames), connecting counting to place value thinking.
How to use it: Play traditional domino matching games while naming quantities. Match different representations of the same number. Discuss patterns you notice. Use for counting practice before introducing formal place value concepts.
View on AmazonDino Math Tracks Game by Learning Resources – Counting game where dinosaurs move along numbered tracks, combining movement, counting, and number recognition.
How to use it: Roll and count spaces. Say each number as your dinosaur lands. Practice counting forward from different starting points. Add challenges: "Can you get to 15 in exactly 3 turns?"
View on AmazonBase Ten Blocks by hand2mind – Units (ones), rods (tens), and flats (hundreds) for hands-on understanding of quantity and place value foundations.
How to use it: At Grade 1 level, focus on the unit cubes. Count out exact quantities. Build numbers in different arrangements. Begin exploring that 10 ones equal 1 rod—foundational place value thinking.
View on Amazon
I Have, Who Has? Place Value Card Game by EAI Education – Fast-paced card game where students match number representations, building quick recognition and listening skills.
How to use it: Start with small groups of cards (10-15) to keep games short. Read cards aloud together at first. Gradually increase speed. Celebrate when the loop completes. Play regularly for fluency building.
View on Amazon -
1. Twenty Cup Stack
Materials: 20 paper or plastic cups, a marker
Write numbers 1-20 on the cups.
Challenge your child to stack cups in order from 1 to 20.
Variation: Stack only odd numbers, even numbers, or count by 2s.
2. String Number Line
Materials: Long shoelace or string, clothespins, paper scraps, marker
Write numbers 1-20 on scraps and clip them to the string in order.
Remove some numbers and have your child fill in the gaps.
Advanced: Only put up every 5th number (5, 10, 15, 20) and have them insert the missing numbers in between.
3. Coin Grab & Count
Materials: A jar of pennies (about 20)
Player grabs a handful, counts them one by one.
Try again—can you grab exactly 10? Exactly 15?
Variation: Use a timer—how many times can they count to 20 in one minute?
4. Pantry Count & Sort
Materials: Cans, boxes, snack packs, or any pantry items
Ask your child to line them up and count them.
Guess the total first, then verify by counting.
Extra: "Show me exactly 12 items" or "Put all the boxes in one group and all the cans in another—which has more?"
5. Rolling to 20
Materials: One die, paper with numbers 1-20 written or printed, crayons
Start at 1, roll the die, count forward that many spaces, and color that number.
Keep rolling and coloring until you reach 20.
6. Number Jump (The Floor is Lava!)
Materials: Paper scraps or painter's tape, marker
Write numbers 1-20 on paper and scatter them on the floor.
Call out a number and your child jumps to it, shouting the number as they land.
Variation: "Jump to all the numbers between 5 and 10!" or "Only land on numbers that come after 12!"
7. Treasure Hunt Count
Materials: Small toys or objects, paper bags or baskets
Hide 15-20 small objects around a room.
Your child hunts for them and counts as they collect: "1 car, 2 cars, 3 cars..."
Variation: "Find exactly 8 treasures" or "Collect items and sort them—how many of each type did you find?"
8. Snack Counter
Materials: Small snacks (crackers, berries, cereal pieces)
Count out exact amounts for snack time: "Can you give me 8 goldfish?"
Arrange snacks in different patterns (line, circle, groups of 2).
Variation: Practice "fair shares"—divide 12 crackers equally between 3 people.
9. Staircase Stomp
Materials: Just a staircase!
Count steps out loud as you climb—one number per step.
Go backwards on the way down.
Variation: Stomp extra loud on every 5th number, or jump on the number that matches your child's age.
10. Playdough Number Factory
Materials: Playdough, small objects (buttons, beads, pasta)
Roll "snakes" to form the shape of numbers 1-20.
Press the correct number of objects into each playdough number.
Variation: Build 3D numbers or form numbers with bodies on the floor.
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1. Create a Counting Book
Why it's powerful: Combines counting, creativity, number writing, and ownership. Children return to books they create again and again.
How to do it: Use 10-20 pages (construction paper stapled or a small notebook). Each page features one number with drawings, stickers, or magazine cutouts of that quantity. Read it together frequently and let your child "read" it to others.
2. Number Scavenger Hunt Challenge
Why it's powerful: Extends counting beyond worksheets into everyday observation. Builds flexible thinking about quantities.
How to do it: Create a simple checklist with drawings or photos. Keep it visible (fridge, clipboard). Check off items as you find them together throughout the week: "Find something that comes in 2s," "Find 10 of something," "Find the number 7 somewhere." Celebrate completion with a small reward or special activity.
3. Counting Museum
Why it's powerful: Long-term project that makes counting tangible and visible. Children become "experts" who can teach visitors about their museum.
How to do it: Use small containers or boxes labeled 1-20. Your child finds objects to match each number (1 special rock, 2 toy cars, 3 crayons, etc.). Rotate collections weekly. Have your child give "museum tours" to family members, counting each collection.
4. Number Memory Game Tournament
Why it's powerful: Reinforces number recognition through repetition and play. Builds memory skills while practicing counting and matching.
How to do it: Create pairs of number cards (two 1s, two 2s, etc.) up to 10 or 20. Mix them face-down. Take turns flipping two cards—if they match, keep the pair and count how many pairs you have. Play daily for a week and track high scores. Host a family tournament at the end of the week with prizes for most pairs collected.
Concept 2: Comparing Numbers & Quantities
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More, Fewer, Less by Tana Hoban – Stunning photographic concept book that explores quantities through real-world images with no text—pure visual comparison.
How to use it: Look at each photo spread together and discuss what you see. Ask "Which group has more?" Count to verify. Create your own comparison scenes with toys inspired by the photos.View on Amazon |Read Aloud on YouTube
Equal Shmequal by Virginia Kroll – Fun story where forest animals debate what "equal" really means while playing tug-of-war—explores equivalence in creative ways.
How to use it: Pause at each debate and ask your child what they think. Act out the scenarios with blocks or toys. Explore different ways to make groups equal (same number, same size, same weight).View on Amazon |Read Aloud on YouTube
More or Less by Stuart J. Murphy – MathStart series book featuring a carnival game where children compare quantities to win prizes—introduces greater than/less than concepts.
How to use it: Play the carnival games from the book at home with toys. Practice using comparison language: "I have more than you!" Set up simple comparison challenges during playtime.View on Amazon |Read Aloud on YouTube
How Many Snails? by Paul Giganti Jr. – Layered counting book that asks multiple questions per page, building observation and counting skills progressively.
How to use it: Start with the first question, then challenge your child with the more complex follow-ups. Create your own "How many?" questions using toys or objects around your home.
View on Amazon |Read Aloud on YouTubeJust Enough Carrots by Stuart J. Murphy – Grocery shopping rabbit compares quantities (more, fewer, same) while counting, blending counting with comparison concepts.
How to use it: Count items on each page together. Practice comparison language naturally: "Do we have more or fewer?" Act out the story during your own grocery trips.
View on Amazon |Read Aloud on YouTubeThe Right Number of Elephants by Jeff Sheppard - Clever story showing how the "right amount" depends on context—brilliant for understanding relative comparison and estimation.
How to use it: Discuss situations where you need different amounts: "How many people for a soccer team? How many for a hug?" Talk about when we need more vs. less of things.View on Amazon | Read Aloud on YouTube
One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor J. Pinczes - Ants reorganize into different group sizes while racing to a picnic, showing that 100 can be arranged many ways while staying equal.
How to use it: Use this as a springboard to explore arrays and equal groups. Act out the story with toys—can you arrange 12 objects like the ants? What about 20? -
Two-Color Counters by Learning Resources- Double-sided plastic counters (red/yellow) perfect for creating instant comparison problems and visualizing "how many more?"
How to use it: Start with concrete comparisons (7 red, 5 yellow—which has more?). Progress to "how many more?" questions. Use for modeling addition and subtraction stories.Primary Balance Scale by Learning Resources - Bucket balance that makes comparison physical and visual—children literally see which quantity weighs more.
How to use it: Compare cubes, coins, small objects. Ask: "How many pennies balance one marker?" Explore equivalence: "3 large blocks = 6 small blocks."Unifix Cubes by hand2mind - Interlocking cubes for building towers and trains—tactile way to compare quantities through height and length.
How to use it: Make two towers, line them up side-by-side. "Which is taller? How many more cubes would make them equal?" Build number stairs (1 cube, 2 cubes, 3 cubes...).Foam Magnetic Ten Frames by hand2mind - Visual frames showing quantities up to 10, making comparison quick and clear at a glance.
How to use it: Fill two ten frames partially. Compare: which has more? How many more? Practice instantly recognizing quantities. Show different ways to make the same number.Greater Gator: Comparing Numbers Game by Learning Resources - Alligator-themed game for practicing greater than/less than symbols with visual support.
How to use it: "The gator always eats the bigger number!" Roll dice or flip cards, position the gator mouth correctly. Say it aloud: "7 is greater than 4."Number Balance by hand2mind - Hanging balance where children place number weights to explore equivalence and comparison.
How to use it: Hang a 5 on one side. What combinations equal 5 on the other side? Compare: "Is 7 heavier than 4? How much heavier?" -
1. More or Less Sort
Materials: 20 small objects (blocks, toys, crackers), two containers
Divide objects unevenly between containers (like 7 in one, 12 in another).
Ask: "Which container has more? Which has less?"
Count each group to verify. Ask: "How many more are in this one?"
Variation: Make the groups equal by moving objects from one container to the other.
2. Comparison War
Materials: Deck of cards (remove face cards, Ace = 1)
Split deck between two players.
Each player flips one card at the same time.
Player with the higher number keeps both cards.
Variation: Play "Difference War"—whoever has the bigger difference between their two cards wins the round.
3. Tower Showdown
Materials: Snap cubes, Unifix cubes, or LEGO bricks (20-30 pieces per player)
Each player builds a tower (set a 2-minute timer or give each player 15 cubes).
Line up towers side-by-side and compare: "Which is taller? By how many?"
Make towers equal by adding cubes to the shorter one.
Variation: Build three towers and put them in order from shortest to tallest.
4. Greater Gator Chomp
Materials: Paper, marker, two dice or number cards 1-20
Draw an alligator mouth (> symbol) on paper—"The gator eats the bigger number!"
Roll two dice or flip two cards.
Position the gator mouth to "eat" the larger number.
Say it aloud: "7 is greater than 4!"
Variation: Introduce the "less than" symbol (<) as a backward-facing gator.
5. Balance Scale Challenge
Materials: Balance scale (or homemade with a hanger and cups), small objects (pennies, blocks, beans)
Put 5 objects on one side, 8 on the other. Ask: "Which side is heavier? Why?"
Count to verify: "How many more are on this side?"
Challenge: "Can you make both sides equal?"
Variation: "How many pennies equal one toy car?"
6. Snack Math
Materials: Two types of small snacks (crackers, grapes, cheerios)
Count out different amounts of each snack (5 crackers, 8 grapes).
Ask: "Which do you have more of? How many more?"
Practice making groups equal: "If you eat 3 grapes, will you have the same?"
Variation: Share snacks with a sibling—who has more? Make it fair.
7. Number Line Jump
Materials: Masking tape or chalk, marker
Create a number line on the floor from 1-20.
Call out two numbers and have your child jump to both: "Jump to 5, then jump to 12. Which is bigger?"
Ask: "How many jumps between them?"
Variation: "Stand on a number bigger than 10 but smaller than 15!"
8. Ten Frame Flash
Materials: Ten frame printouts or draw them on paper, counters or coins
Fill two ten frames with different amounts (one has 7, one has 4).
Flash them briefly and ask: "Which has more? How many more?"
Count together to check.
Variation: Make them equal by adding or removing counters.
9. Handful Guess
Materials: Bowl of small objects (beans, pennies, small toys)
Grab a handful in each hand.
Before counting, guess: "Which hand has more?"
Count each handful to verify. How close was your guess?
Variation: "Can you grab exactly 10 in one hand? Try again until you get it!"
10. Daily Spotter
Materials: Just your eyes and curiosity!
Throughout the day, ask comparison questions naturally:
"Do we have more apples or bananas?"
"Which line is shorter at the store?"
"Are there more cars or trucks in the parking lot?"
"Who has more peas on their plate?"
Make it a game—see how many comparisons you can spot in one day.
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1. The Fair Share Challenge
Why it's powerful: Combines comparison with division concepts. Children must compare quantities across different scenarios AND explain their reasoning.
How to do it: You have 20 treats. Three friends are coming over—how can you share fairly? What if four friends come? What if only two? Which way gives each person the most? Can your child explain WHY fewer people means more treats each?
2. Mystery Number Hunt
Why it's powerful: Requires holding multiple comparison constraints in mind simultaneously. Builds logical reasoning and deductive thinking.
How to do it: "I'm thinking of a number. It's more than 8 but less than 15. It's an even number. What could it be?" Start with two clues, add more as needed. Have your child create mystery numbers for you to solve.
3. Build It Bigger, Build It Smaller
Why it's powerful: Strategic thinking using comparison. Children must understand relative size AND think ahead about winning conditions.
How to do it: Roll a die and build a tower with that many cubes. Next player rolls and decides: "Should I build bigger or smaller to win this round?" Set rules together—does bigger always win, or do you alternate? First to win 5 rounds wins the game.
4. The Equality Challenge
Why it's powerful: Combines comparison with algebraic thinking. Children work backwards from a comparison statement to find unknown quantities.
How to do it: "I have 7 red blocks and 4 blue blocks. How many more blue blocks do I need to make the groups equal? Prove it." Progress to: "I have 12 crayons total. Some are red, some are blue. There are 3 more red than blue. How many of each?" Can they explain their reasoning and check their answer?
Concept 3: Understanding Zero & Place Value Foundations
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Zero the Hero by Joan Holub - Fun story where Zero feels left out because he's "worth nothing"—until he discovers his special power as a placeholder that makes numbers bigger.
How to use it: Discuss what zero means—nothing, but also powerful. Count down to zero together. Look for zeros in everyday numbers (10, 20, 100). Play "zero games" where you start with objects and remove them all.View on Amazon | Read Aloud on YouTube
A Place for Zero by Angeline Sparagna LoPresti - Zero feels rejected by other numbers until they realize every number needs zero to reach its full potential—wonderful exploration of place value.
How to use it: Act out the story with number cards. Show how adding zero changes numbers (5 becomes 50, 2 becomes 20). Discuss why zero is essential even though it means "nothing."View on Amazon | Read Aloud on YouTube
Sir Cumference and All the King's Tens by Cindy Neuschwander - Medieval adventure where characters must organize a feast using groups of tens—makes place value concrete and story-driven.
How to use it: Act out grouping objects by tens like in the story. Count large collections and practice bundling into groups of 10. Explore how organizing by tens makes counting easier.View on Amazon | Read Aloud on YouTube
Penguin Place Value by Kathleen L. Stone - Playful penguins teach place value concepts through a party where they organize into groups of ones, tens, and eventually hundreds.
How to use it: Count penguins on each page. Practice grouping toys or blocks into tens like the penguins. Build numbers using groups of 10 and leftover ones.View on Amazon | Read Aloud on YouTube
Place Value by David A. Adler - Clear, straightforward explanation of place value using everyday examples and visual representations—perfect for concrete understanding.
How to use it: Work through examples together with real objects. Practice writing numbers in expanded form (23 = 20 + 3). Use the book's format to create your own place value examples. -
Base Ten Blocks by hand2mind -Physical representation of ones (unit cubes), tens (rods), and hundreds (flats)—the gold standard for teaching place value.
How to use it: Start with unit cubes only—count out exact quantities. Show that 10 ones can be traded for 1 ten rod. Build numbers using tens and ones (23 = 2 rods + 3 cubes). Practice regrouping and trading.Place Value Disks by hand2mind - Color-coded disks representing ones, tens, and hundreds—portable and easy to manipulate for building numbers.
How to use it: Use different colors for each place value. Build numbers by stacking appropriate disks. Trade 10 ones for 1 ten disk. Show that 47 = 4 tens + 7 ones.Place Value Chart (Pocket Chart) by Learning Resources - Pocket chart with labeled columns (Hundreds, Tens, Ones) for organizing manipulatives and number cards.
How to use it: Place number cards or objects in correct columns. Build numbers visually. Practice reading numbers: "2 in the tens place, 5 in the ones place = 25." Show how zero holds a place.Counting Collections: Bundling Sticks - Wooden craft sticks with rubber bands for creating bundles of 10—hands-on grouping practice.
How to use it: Count out individual sticks, bundle every 10 with a rubber band. Count large quantities: "3 bundles and 4 singles = 34." Practice making trades (10 singles for 1 bundle).Craft Sticks: View on Amazon | Rubber Bands: View on Amazon
Place Value Flip Stand - Flip chart showing ones, tens, and hundreds that children manipulate to create different numbers.
How to use it: Flip to show different digit combinations. Ask: "What number do you see?" Practice building specific numbers. Show how changing one digit changes the entire number.Arrow Cards (Place Value Cards) - Cards that slide together to show how place values combine—brilliant for seeing 23 as 20 + 3.
How to use it: Start with a two-digit number card. Slide it apart to reveal the tens and ones separately. Discuss: "35 is really 30 and 5 together." Build numbers by combining arrow cards.Note: Arrow cards are typically printable resources from educational sites like Teachers Pay Teachers. For a similar manipulative on Amazon, see Place Value Strips by hand2mind
Ten Frame Towers - Stackable ten frames that make groups of 10 visual and tangible—bridge from counting to place value.
How to use it: Fill one ten frame completely, then start the next. Build numbers: "2 full frames plus 3 more = 23." See patterns in how numbers are organized by tens. -
1. Zero Hunt
Materials: Paper, pencil or camera
Go on a number hunt looking specifically for zeros in the wild (clocks, signs, house numbers, prices).
Write down or photograph every zero you find.
Discuss: "What would happen if we took the zero away from that number?"
Variation: Find numbers with zero in different positions (10, 20, 101, 200).
2. The Disappearing Game
Materials: 5-10 small objects (toys, blocks, crackers)
Start with a group of objects. Count them together.
Remove them one at a time, counting down: "5, 4, 3, 2, 1..."
When all are gone: "Now we have ZERO!"
Variation: Start with zero and add objects one at a time, counting up from zero.
3. Bundling Station
Materials: 30-50 craft sticks (or straws, pencils), rubber bands
Scatter sticks on the table.
Count out 10 sticks and bundle them with a rubber band. That's 1 ten!
Keep bundling every 10 sticks. Count: "2 tens and 3 ones = 23."
Variation: Unbundle and re-bundle in different combinations. Show that 23 can be 2 tens + 3 ones OR 1 ten + 13 ones.
4. Snack Pack Tens
Materials: 20-30 small snacks (cheerios, goldfish, raisins), small cups or containers
Count out 10 snacks into one cup—that's "1 ten."
Keep making groups of 10 until snacks are gone.
Count: "3 full cups (tens) and 4 extras (ones) = 34 snacks!"
Variation: Eat one ten at a time and track what's left.
5. Coin Trading Game
Materials: 30+ pennies, 5+ dimes, paper/pencil
Start with pennies. Count out 10 pennies.
Trade 10 pennies for 1 dime. "10 ones = 1 ten!"
Keep trading: how many dimes can you make?
Variation: Start with dimes and "break them" into pennies when needed.
6. Place Value Build-It
Materials: Base ten blocks or LEGO bricks (designate one as "one," a tower of 10 as "ten")
Call out a number: "Make 24!"
Child builds it: 2 tens + 4 ones.
Check together: "Let's count by tens: 10, 20... then add 4 more: 21, 22, 23, 24!"
Variation: Build several numbers and put them in order from smallest to largest.
7. Number Expander
Materials: Paper, markers, scissors
Write a two-digit number on paper (like 47).
Cut the number apart between digits: 4 | 7.
Add zeros to show what each digit really means: 40 and 7.
Say it: "47 is 40 and 7!" Stack them together and pull apart.
Variation: Make "arrow cards" by cutting paper into overlapping flaps.
8. Tens Frame Race
Materials: Ten frames (printed or drawn), counters or coins, die
Start with empty ten frames.
Roll the die, add that many counters to your frame.
When you fill one ten frame, start the next. "I have 1 full ten and 3 ones!"
First to fill 2 complete ten frames wins.
Variation: Play subtraction version—start with full frames and remove counters.
9. Mystery Number Guess
Materials: Just your voice!
Give place value clues: "I'm thinking of a number with 3 tens and 5 ones. What is it?"
Child guesses (35!).
Take turns—let your child create mystery numbers for you.
Variation: Include zero: "I have 2 tens and 0 ones. What number?"
10. Place Value Hunt
Materials: Items from around the house, paper, pencil
Collect a bunch of small objects (20-50 items like buttons, pasta, toys).
Organize them into groups of 10.
Count: "4 groups of ten and 7 extras = 47 items!"
Record your findings. Try again with a different collection.
Variation: Estimate first: "I think we have about ___ items. Let's count by tens to check!"
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1. The 100-Item Collection Challenge
Why it's powerful: Makes abstract place value concepts concrete. Children see, touch, and organize 100 actual objects, internalizing the magnitude of tens and hundreds.
How to do it: Collect 100 small items over several days (pasta, buttons, pennies, craft sticks). Group them into 10 tens using cups or rubber bands. Display them as "10 groups of 10 = 100!" Take photos. Try rearranging: can you make 5 groups of 20? How is that different? Create a poster showing your collection and how you organized it.
2. Zero Powers Investigation
Why it's powerful: Deep exploration of zero's dual nature—nothing AND a powerful placeholder. Builds number sense and place value understanding simultaneously.
How to do it: Start with a single-digit number card (like 3). Add zero cards one at a time: 3 → 30 → 300. Discuss: "What happened? The 3 didn't change, but the number got bigger!" Reverse it: remove zeros and watch numbers shrink. Create a chart showing number families (2, 20, 200 or 5, 50, 500). Can they see the pattern? Challenge: "If 5 means 5 ones, what does 50 mean?" (5 tens!)
3. Build a Number Three Ways
Why it's powerful: Flexible thinking about place value. Children learn that numbers can be decomposed and recomposed in multiple ways—essential for future mental math and regrouping.
How to do it: Pick a two-digit number (like 35). Build it three different ways using base ten blocks: standard way (3 tens + 5 ones), all ones (35 individual cubes), or mixed (2 tens + 15 ones). Prove they're all equal by counting. Discuss: "Which way is easiest to count? Why?" Progress to bigger numbers and more combinations.
4. The Trading Post Game
Why it's powerful: Makes the abstract concept of regrouping tangible. Children experience the "10 ones = 1 ten" exchange that's crucial for addition and subtraction with regrouping.
How to do it: Set up shop with pennies (ones) and dimes (tens). Child starts with 15 pennies. Shopkeeper (you) says: "I'll give you a dime for every 10 pennies." Child trades 10 pennies for 1 dime. Now they have 1 dime and 5 pennies—still 15 cents, but organized differently! Play multiple rounds, trading back and forth. Advanced: introduce dollar bills (hundreds) and trade 10 dimes for 1 dollar. Can they track their total wealth as it transforms?