Arizona STEM
Acceleration Project
Place Value Discovery Game and
Base Ten Block House Build
Place Value Game and Base Ten Block House Build
A 4th grade STEM lesson
Rebecca Bunnell
9/23/2024
Notes for Teachers
List of Materials:
Math Standards:
4.NBT.A.1 Apply concepts of place value, multiplication, and division to understand that in a multi-digit whole number, a digit in one place represents ten times what it represents in the place to its right.
4.NBT.A.2 Read and write multi-digit whole numbers using base-ten numerals, number names, and expanded form. Compare two multi-digit numbers based on meanings of the digits in each place, using >, =, and < symbols to record the results of comparisons.
Science and Engineering Practices
4.W.7 Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
4.SL.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly
Objective(s):
Agenda (60-90 minutes)
Listen to If I Built a House
Building Challenge Rules
Play a game to decide on a number
Experiment with building
Draw the building that met the challenge.
Assess other group’s buildings.
If I Built a House
While you listen, list all the creative ways that you could exit a house!
Building Challenge
Structure must have:
Pair up and Play a Game
Each pair will need a dice and the provided place value mat.
The students roll a dice and make numbers with the digits on the place value mat.
Place the base ten blocks on display.
After each pair has four numbers written, ask them to discuss which number would be best to use for constructing their place value building.
Are high numbers or low numbers better?
Hands-On Activity Instructions
Collect the accurate number of blocks and work to meet the building challenge.
Hands-On Activity Instructions
Structure must have:
Build and Experiment
Record three ideas that did not work!
How do we assess our work?
How Much Is Their Building Worth?
They will look at other buildings keep track on their project paper the value of each block the other group used so that when they are done, they will know exactly how much their building is worth.
For example if I build a model house using 6 hundred flats, 5 tens sticks, and 3 ones cubes, my building is worth 600 + 50 + 3 = 653. Have each pair take a walk around looking at one-two buildings from other groups and try to calculate the value of each one. (We are Teachers)
Record Expanded Form on the note sheet.
Differentiation
One way to differentiate in this lesson is to provide some groups smaller numbers to work with and help them collect the right amount of blocks.
Use printed place value blocks to make a 2 D design.
Creative grouping to ensure each pair has a leader to help direct their project.
Remediation
Extension/Enrichment
Photography -
Create a gallery wall of building photos.
Utilize a CAD program to design the building digitally.