Standard: 4.NBT.A1 – Recognize that in a multi-digit whole number, a digit in one place represents ten times what it represents in the place to its right. For example, recognize that 700 ÷ 70 = 10 by applying concepts of place value and division.
Grade level: Grade 4
Subject: Mathematics
Domain: Number & Operations in Base Ten
Teacher Overview
This standard helps students understand the fundamental concept of place value, which is crucial for performing operations with multi-digit numbers. Mastery of this standard is essential for students to progress to more complex arithmetic operations in later grades. Students should have a solid understanding of basic place value, single-digit addition and subtraction, and an introduction to multiplication and division.
After mastering this standard, students will be able to perform more complex arithmetic operations with multi-digit numbers, including multiplication and division, and apply these skills to solve real-world problems.
Common Misconception 1
Some students may believe that the value of a digit remains the same regardless of its position in a number. This is incorrect because each position in a multi-digit number represents a different power of ten.
Intervention 1
Use visual aids like place value charts and base-ten blocks to show how the value of a digit changes with its position. Practice with concrete examples can help solidify this concept.
Common Misconception 2
Another common misconception is confusing the digit itself with its value based on position. For example, thinking that in the number 700, the digit ‘7’ always represents seven, rather than understanding it represents seven hundred.
Intervention 2
Provide exercises that require students to break down numbers into their place value components and write out the value of each digit. Reinforce the idea through repeated practice and real-world examples.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should understand basic place value concepts, be able to identify and work with single-digit numbers, and have a basic understanding of division and multiplication.
Subsequent Knowledge
Students will develop skills to perform more complex operations with multi-digit numbers, including multiplication and division, and will be able to solve real-world problems involving large numbers.
Instructional Activities
- Use base-ten blocks to build and decompose multi-digit numbers.
- Create place value charts for students to fill in with different numbers.
- Practice dividing large numbers by powers of ten using real-world examples.
- Group activities where students represent numbers with different place values.
- Interactive games that reinforce place value concepts.
