Number Detectives Warm-Up Number Detectives
Warm-Up Activity
Name: __________________________
Date: __________________________
Your Mission
Look at the pictures. Count how many items you see. Write the number in the box!
1 Look at these stars! How many do you see?
Total Stars:
2 Now look at these circles! How many do you see?
Total Circles:
Keep searching, Number Detectives!
Place Value Power-Up Lesson Plan Place Value Power-Up
Lesson Plan • 2nd Grade Special Education
30 Minutes
The "Why"
Understanding place value is foundational for addition, subtraction, and number sense. It helps students comprehend the true value of digits.
Objective
Identify tens and ones in numbers 0-99 and represent them using base-ten blocks or drawings.
Teacher Prep
Gather base-ten blocks (rods and units) for each student/group.
Prepare whiteboards and markers for warm-up and practice.
Print and cut Build It, Break It! Cards and Scavenger Hunt Cards .
Set up the Scavenger Hunt by hiding number cards around the room.
Instructional Steps
5
Min
Warm-Up: Number Detectives
Students count stars (12) and circles (25) displayed on screen. Record totals on whiteboards. Focus on explaining counting strategies.
7
Min
Intro: Tens & Ones
Use Slide Deck to define place value. Introduce "Tens Rods" and "Ones Units." Model representing 13 and 21. Hand out blocks for tactile engagement.
10
Min
Practice: Build It, Break It!
Pairs pick cards and "build" the number with blocks, then "break it" by identifying tens/ones. Complete practice worksheet as they work.
5
Min
Game: Scavenger Hunt
Find hidden number cards. Identify tens/ones on the spot or return to desk to record. Fast-paced informal assessment.
3
Min
Wrap-Up & Quiz
Quick review of tens/ones places. Administer Check-Up Quiz. Use rubric for grading based on worksheet and quiz performance.
Materials Required
Base-Ten Blocks Slide Deck Worksheet Quiz Activity Cards Whiteboards
Place Value Power-Up Slides Place Value Power-Up!
Understanding Tens and Ones
Build It
Break It
What is Place Value?
It's all about a digit's spot in a number!
Each digit has a special place, and that place tells us its value.
Meet the Tens and Ones!
ONES Place
This is for single items (0-9).
TENS Place
This is for Groups of Ten!
Our Super Tools!
Ones Unit
Looks like a small square.
Tens Rod
Looks like a long stick.
Let's Build: 13
1 Ten
3 Ones
One Ten and Three Ones makes 13!
Time for an Activity!
Build It, Break It!
You're going to be Place Value Builders!
Use your blocks to build the numbers on the cards.
Scavenger Hunt!
Find numbers around the room and figure out their tens and ones!
You're Pros!
Today, you learned all about tens and ones!
Final Challenge: Place Value Quiz
Place Value Power-Up Script Instructional Script
Place Value Power-Up
Part 1: Warm-Up (5 min)
Number Detectives
"Good morning, future mathematicians! Today we're going on an exciting journey to become 'Number Detectives'! We'll start with a quick warm-up. I'm going to show you some pictures with objects. Your job is to count how many objects you see and write the number on your whiteboard. Ready?"
Action / Visuals
Display Warm-Up Activity. Show 12 stars, then 25 circles one at a time. Allow counting time.
"Alright, let's see for the stars... how many did you count? [Call on a student] . Great! How about the circles? [Call on another student] . Fantastic counting everyone! Keep those number detective skills sharp, because we're going to use them today!"
Part 2: Introduction (7 min)
Slide Deck
Slide 1: Title
"
"Welcome to Place Value Power-Up! Today we're going to unlock a super important secret about numbers. It's going to make understanding big numbers so much easier!"
Slide 2: What is Place Value?
"
"Has anyone ever heard the words 'place value' before? [Pause] . That's okay if not! Place value sounds like a big fancy term, but it just means that each digit in a number has a special 'spot' or 'place,' and that place tells us how much that digit is worth. "
Slide 3: Meet the Tens & Ones
"
"Today, we're going to become experts on two very important 'places' in numbers: the ONES place and the TENS place ."
"The ONES place is for single items, like counting one cookie. The TENS place is for groups of ten! Think about when you count your fingers – you have ten fingers, right? That's one group of ten!"
Slide 4: Tools (Base-Ten Blocks)
"
"To help us see and understand tens and ones, we have some special tools called Base-Ten Blocks ! This small block is a ones unit . It counts as 1 . And this longer stick is a tens rod . It's actually made up of 10 little ones stuck together!"
Distribute blocks now!
Part 3: Activity (10 min)
Build It, Break It!
"Now, we're going to do an activity called 'Build It, Break It!' You will pick a card, and then use your base-ten blocks to 'build' that number. Then, you're going to 'break it' by telling me how many tens and how many ones are in your number."
Build It Break It Activity Cards Build It, Break It!
Activity Cards
How to Play
1. Pick a number card.2. Build the number with blocks.3. Break it into tens and ones.4. Record on your worksheet.
Card 1
15
Card 2
23
Card 3
31
Card 4
40
Card 5
27
Card 6
19
Card 7
35
Card 8
42
Card 9
50
Card 10
28
Bonus Card
Place Value Practice Worksheet Place Value Practice
Build It & Break It
Name: __________________________
Date: __________________________
Instructions: For each number, draw the tens rods and ones units . Then, write how many tens and ones are in the number.
1. Number: 15
Tens Rod = Ones Unit =
Draw it here:
How many Tens?
How many Ones?
2. Number: 23
Draw it here:
How many Tens?
How many Ones?
3. Number: 31
Draw it here:
How many Tens?
How many Ones?
4. Number: 40
Draw it here:
How many Tens?
How many Ones?
5. Number: 27
Draw it here:
How many Tens?
How many Ones?
6. Number: 19
Draw it here:
How many Tens?
How many Ones?
Place Value Scavenger Hunt Game Scavenger Hunt!
Place Value Edition
Student Rules
1 Find a number card hidden in the room.
2 Bring it back to your desk.
3 Write how many tens and ones are in that number.
4 Go hunt for another one!
Teacher Prep
Print and cut the cards on the following pages.
Hide them in semi-visible spots around the classroom.
Students can work in pairs for social-emotional learning.
Provide whiteboards or scrap paper for recording.
Scavenger Hunt Card 1
32
Tens:
Ones:
Scavenger Hunt Card 2
17
Tens:
Ones:
Scavenger Hunt Card 3
45
Tens:
Ones:
Scavenger Hunt Card 4
20
Tens:
Ones:
Scavenger Hunt Card 5
39
Tens:
Ones:
Scavenger Hunt Card 6
11
Tens:
Ones:
Scavenger Hunt Card 7
54
Tens:
Ones:
Place Value Check-Up Quiz Place Value Check-Up
Show What You Know!
Name: __________________________
Date: __________________________
1 What does the 3 mean in the number 37?
3 ones
3 tens
7 ones
7 tens
2 How many ones are in the number 24?
2 ones
4 tens
4 ones
2 tens
3 Draw base-ten blocks to show the number 16.
4 Write the number that has 2 tens and 5 ones.
Answer:
5 Which number has 0 ones?
15
20
33
41
Place Value Rubric Place Value Rubric
Assessment Tool • 2nd Grade Math
Student: __________________
Date: __________________
Learning Objective:
Students will identify the value of digits in the tens and ones places for numbers (0-99) and represent numbers using base-ten blocks or drawings.
Criteria 1: Identifying Tens & Ones
Score Description 3 - Exceeds Consistently and accurately identifies both places for all numbers 0-99. Explains reasoning clearly. 2 - Meets Accurately identifies both places for most numbers with only minor/occasional errors. 1 - Approaching Identifies one place correctly but struggles with the other. Needs frequent teacher support. 0 - Not Yet Unable to identify tens or ones places, even with heavy modeling and support.
Criteria 2: Representing Numbers
<table class="w-full text-sm text-left border-collapse"><tbody class="bg-white"><tr class="border-b border-slate-100"><td class="p-4 bg-yellow-50 font-bold text-yellow-700 w-1/4">3 - Exceeds</td><td class="p-4 italic">Flawless use of base-ten blocks and drawings to represent any two-digit number.</td></tr><tr class="border-b border-slate-100"><td class="p-4 font-bold text-slate-700 w-1/4">2 - Meets</td><td class="p-4">Accurately uses blocks/drawings for most numbers. Recognizes the rod is 10 and the unit is 1.</td></tr><tr class="border-b border-slate-100"><td class="p-4 font-bold text-slate-400 w-1/4">1 - Approaching</td><td class="p-4">Attempts to use blocks but often miscounts or confuses rods with units. Needs significant guidance.</td></tr><tr><td class="p-4 font-bold text-red-400 w-1/4">0 - Not Yet</td><td class="p-4">Unable to use blocks/drawings to represent values, even with concrete modeling.</td></tr></tbody></table>
Criteria 3: Engagement & Participation
<table class="w-full text-sm text-left border-collapse"><tbody class="bg-white"><tr class="border-b border-slate-100"><td class="p-4 bg-green-50 font-bold text-green-700 w-1/4">3 - Exceeds</td><td class="p-4 italic">Actively leads, shows high enthusiasm, and supports peers during scavenger hunt/activities.</td></tr><tr class="border-b border-slate-100"><td class="p-4 font-bold text-slate-700 w-1/4">2 - Meets</td><td class="p-4">Participates willingly in all activities. Stays on task most of the time.</td></tr><tr class="border-b border-slate-100"><td class="p-4 font-bold text-slate-400 w-1/4">1 - Approaching</td><td class="p-4">Participates minimally. Requires frequent prompting or redirection to engage with tasks.</td></tr><tr><td class="p-4 font-bold text-red-400 w-1/4">0 - Not Yet</td><td class="p-4">Disengaged from activities. Does not attempt to participate even with encouragement.</td></tr></tbody></table>
Place Value Answer Key Answer Key
Place Value Power-Up
Practice Worksheet
1. Number 15 1 Ten, 5 Ones
2. Number 23 2 Tens, 3 Ones
3. Number 31 3 Tens, 1 One
4. Number 40 4 Tens, 0 Ones
5. Number 27 2 Tens, 7 Ones
6. Number 19 1 Ten, 9 Ones
Check-Up Quiz
1. Value of 3 in 37:
3 tens
2. Ones in 24:
4 ones
3. Drawing for 16:
1 Tens Rod, 6 Ones Units
4. 2 tens and 5 ones:
25
5. Number with 0 ones:
20
Scavenger Hunt Cards
Card 1: 32
3 Tens, 2 Ones
Card 2: 17
1 Ten, 7 Ones
Card 3: 45
4 Tens, 5 Ones
Card 4: 20
2 Tens, 0 Ones
Card 5: 39
3 Tens, 9 Ones
Card 6: 11
1 Ten, 1 One
Card 7: 54
5 Tens, 4 Ones
Use these answers for quick grading of worksheets and quizzes.
