Build Knowledge of 3-Digit Place Value

Use this teaching resource in the classroom as a fun place value activity to help students understand that three-digit numbers are made up of hundreds, tens and ones.

Provide each student with a copy of the ‘hundreds,’ ‘tens’ and ‘ones’ cut-out worksheets and a large sheet of butcher’s paper. Students then cut out as many ‘hundreds,’ ‘tens’ and ‘ones’ as they wish and glue them onto the butcher’s paper, creating a castle. When they have finished, ask the students to count the number of ‘hundreds,’ tens’ and ‘ones’ they have used to create their castle and record it in the place value table. Students then write the total value of their place value castle and glue the strip onto their butcher’s paper.

To make this activity more fun, provide students with a set of Fairy Tale Posters. Ensure that you print the posters 9 to a page to match the scale of the castle.

Want it digitally?

We have you covered – this resource is available as a printable activity or interactive activity to suit your needs in the classroom. This combination of resource types means it’s an extremely versatile activity to do in the classroom.

How to Develop Place Value Knowledge in Kids

Developing place value knowledge in kids involves using a variety of hands-on activities and visual aids to help them understand the concept of numbers and their positions. Start by introducing the idea that each digit in a number has a different value depending on its position. Use manipulatives like base-ten blocks or place value charts to represent units, tens, hundreds, and so on. Engage kids in activities such as grouping objects into tens and ones, playing place value games, and practicing with number cards to build their confidence and understanding. Encourage them to explain their thinking and reasoning as they solve problems, which reinforces their learning. Gradually increase the complexity of the numbers and operations as their understanding deepens, ensuring that they grasp both the conceptual and practical aspects of place value.

Download and Get Creative and Mathematical Today!

Use the dropdown menu to choose between the Google Slide or PowerPoint digital version or the easy to print color or black and white PDF of this resource.

Kendall Britnell, a Teach Starter collaborator, contributed to this resource.

More Place Value Activities for the Classroom

Looking for more resources to add to your collection of resources? We have you covered…

teaching resource

Number of the Day Worksheet

Explore 4, 5, and 6-digit numbers using this number of the day worksheet with your students.

teaching resource

3-Digit Place Value Cover Up Game

Engage students in understanding place value to the hundreds with this place value card game.

teaching resource

Math Mazes (Place Value)

Determine the correct paths through each maze using knowledge of place value.