Activities to Teach Students to Convert To/From a Number – Tens and Ones
Learning to convert between numbers is a fundamental skill that students must acquire in their early years of education. While it may seem simple to adults, it can be challenging for children who are still developing their cognitive skills. One essential concept that students need to learn is converting between numbers in the tens and ones. These activities will make this concept more accessible, engaging and fun.
1. Base-10 Blocks:
Base-10 blocks are an incredible tool that can make it easier for students to visualize and understand the conversion of numbers. You can use foam, plastic, or wood sets. The base-10 blocks come in various sizes such as ones, tens, hundreds, and thousands, and each size is represented by a different color. Start by showing your students a number, and have them create that same number using base-10 blocks. Have them identify the tens and ones and explain why they are placed in that order. The use of the blocks helps the children see the conversion process physically, leading them to have a better understanding.
2. Place Value Chart:
Make a place value chart showing the tens and ones columns, and write numbers in the chart to help the students see how to convert from tens to ones and vice versa. For example, if the number is 23, write this under the tens and ones columns, with 2 in the tens column, and 3 in the ones column. Then, ask the students to convert the number to the value of the ones and tens column. Let them demonstrate how each digit changes the number.
3. Math Games:
Engaging Math games are a perfect way to teach students to convert between numbers in a fun way. There are many math-related games, such as Bingo, matching games, or numeral puzzles. For this particular activity, I suggest ‘Guess My Number.’ Choose a number with two digits, and the students must guess the value of the tens and ones digit in the number. For example, if the number is 45, the children would guess 4 for the tens, and 5 for the ones. This game encourages the children to think logically and critically.
4. Online Resources:
Some online learning resources are excellent for teaching students to convert numbers. Virtual manipulatives are just one example. On virtual manipulative websites, students can practice using base-10 blocks, which help them learn the concept. Online quizzes and games are also a great tool, in which the students learn the required concepts, through digital games and videos.
In conclusion, teaching students to convert between numbers – tens and ones, is an essential math skill that they will use as they progress through school. Using multi-sensory resources like place value charts, virtual manipulatives, and math games can help children learn and understand these concepts while engaging them in a fun and exciting way. These activities will make learning this math concept much easier and the children can have fun while doing so!