Unit 1: Place Value

Target Objectives

Worthwhile Task Indicators

Example Tasks

• 3.N.1.1

• 3.N.1.2

• 3.N.1.4

• Students explore new place value concepts by applying their prior knowledge

• Gives students opportunities to share with peers

• Allows them to explore numbers in a way that makes sense to them

• Make connections between various place value objectives

• Make conjectures based on number sense

Number Card Activity Comparing/Ordering

• Give students four single-digit cards. Have students organize the numbers in any way that makes sense to them. They may order their numbers from least to greatest or greatest to least (ex: 1,478 or 8,741) or organize them by odd or even (ex: 1,748) or another reason that makes sense to them. Have students share how and why they organized the digits in the way that they did.

• Once students have the opportunity to share, have them turn to their partner and look at each other’s numbers. Have students compare and contrast their two numbers, and record their findings in any way they choose. Monitor the room as they create their list, Venn diagram, etc. Have students share their findings (ex: one student has a 3 in their thousand place and the other has a one).

• With this in mind, have them consider which number is greater. Have students explain how they know. Model how to compare those numbers using symbols. Continue the task using five digit numbers as well.