First Grade: Math

Place Value

Play “What’s the number?”

Think of a two-digit number, like 21. Have your child guess the number by saying how many tens and ones that make up the number. For example, for the number 21, you would say, “My mystery number has 2 tens and 1 one. What’s the number?” Have the child write the number on a piece of paper or an index card and then hold it up and say the number aloud.

Once you have played a few rounds, modify the game so that you take turns with one person naming a two-digit number and the other writing and saying how many tens and ones make up that number. This will help your child practice composing and decomposing numbers into tens and ones.