Digit Lab Teacher Guide
Digit Lab Guide
Place Value & Value Identification | Grades 3-4
50 MIN LESSON
Learning Objective
Students will accurately distinguish between a digit (the symbol) and its value (the worth based on position) in numbers up to 100,000.
Materials Needed
- Digit Lab Slides
- Individual Whiteboards & Markers
- Value Tracker Scorecards
- YouTube: "Place Value to 100 000"
1
Warm-Up: Two Truths and a Lie (5 Min)
Write the number 45,281 on the board. Present these three statements:
- 1. The digit 4 is in the ten-thousands place and has a value of 40,000.
- 2. The digit 2 is worth 200.
- 3. The digit 5 has a value of 500. (LIE - It is 5,000)
2
Video Viewing & Vocabulary (10 Min)
Watch the "Place Value to 100 000" video. Focus on the vocabulary:
Digit0, 1, 2... 9
ValueWhat it's worth
SeparateExpand/Decompose
Pause Points & Questions:
- 0:23: Ask: "If we pull these cards apart, how many zeros will be behind the 5? Why?"
- 0:36: Introduce "Expanded Form".
- 1:02: Prediction: "Write the value of 3 on your whiteboards now!"
- 1:35: Ask: "Which digit has the GREATEST value? Which has the LEAST?"
3
Game: What's My Value? (15-20 Min)
Students work in pairs with whiteboards and the Value Tracker Scorecard.
- Partner A writes a 5-digit number and underlines one digit.
- Partner B must state the full value (e.g., "Sixty Thousand") and write it.
- If correct, they mark a point on the Scorecard.
- Switch roles and repeat!
4
Extension & Wrap-Up (10 Min)
Challenge students to use 6-digit numbers (hundred-thousands place). Discuss: "How does the value change as we move one spot to the left?"
Teacher Tips
Watch for students who say "5" instead of "5,000". Remind them that the digit is 5, but the value is the whole amount.
Connect the "sliding cards" in the video to standard expanded form. The zeros are "hidden" when the digits are stacked.
Digit Lab Slides
Mathematics Lab
Digit Lab
Identifying Digits vs. Value
Two Truths and a Lie
45,281
1
The digit 4 has a value of 40,000.
2
The digit 2 is worth 200.
3
The digit 5 has a value of 500.
Lab Definitions
Digit
A single symbol used to build numbers.
0123456789
Value
How much a digit is worth based on where it sits.
The "Worth"
Lab Observation: Place Value to 100,000
Embedded media
WATCH
PAUSE & DISCUSS
RECORD
The Big Question
"Why do zeros appear when the cards slide apart?"
Space Holders
Hidden Worth
Expanded Form
Lab Practice
Example 1
35,146
What is the value of the 5?
5,000
Example 2
98,372
What is the value of the 3?
...
Example 3
85,213
What is the value of the 8?
...
What's My Value?
1
Partner A writes a 5-digit number and underlines one digit.
2
Partner B says the value (not just the digit!) and writes it down.
3
Check your answer. If correct, mark a point!
Pro-Tip
"If the digit is 7 and it's in the thousands place, don't just say '7'. Say SEVEN THOUSAND!"
Level Up
The 6-Digit Challenge
Can you decode numbers in the Hundred-Thousands place?
674,231
Ready... Set... Launch!
Value Tracker Scorecard
Digit Lab Mission
Value Tracker
Scientist 1:
Scientist 2:
Mission: One scientist writes a 5-digit number and underlines a digit. The other scientist states the VALUE (e.g., 5,000) of that digit. Check each other's work!
| RD | The 5-Digit Number (Underline 1 Digit) | The Value Answer | Check |
|---|
| 1 | | | |
| | | |
| 2 | | | |
|
| 3 | | |
|
| 4 | | |
|
| 5 | | |
|
| 6 | | |
|
| 7 | | |
|
| 8 | | |
|
Level Up: 6-Digit Challenge
<table class="w-full mt-2"><tbody><tr><td class="p-3 w-12 text-center font-bold text-purple-700">9</td><td class="p-3 border-r-2 border-purple-200 w-1/2 h-12 bg-white rounded-l-xl"></td><td class="p-3 w-1/2 bg-white rounded-r-xl"></td><td class="pl-4"><div class="w-6 h-6 border-2 border-purple-400 rounded bg-white"></div></td></tr></tbody></table>
Use the Hundred-Thousands place for this final round!
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