Several years ago we started following the Envisions textbook scope and sequence pretty consistently. This meant not really digging deep into place value until much later in the year than I like. For some of my struggling sweet and lows, this makes understanding place value and tens and ones more difficult.
I am sure you have had a student or two who will count a stack of Unifix cubes even though you've told them there will ALWAYS be 10 in the stack. These are the same students that often count to be sure there are still 5 fingers on each hand. Because of this, I knew I wanted to create a hands-on way for them to understand to value of a ten rod....so, we needed to use some Magic Snowballs to help us. :)
The first step is to make the Magic Snowballs using small white pom pom balls, spray glue, and white glitter. All you need to do is spray the pom pom balls with the glue and sprinkle them with the white glitter.
After that, we receive a package from a friendly snowman containing the Magic Snowballs, craft sticks, number cards, and a poem. We also received a cute snowman bag to hold everything in.
Here is a closer look at the poem.
Students then help make the 10 rods we will be using to build numbers. Students glued 10 Magic Snowballs onto each craft stick.
I had my struggling students help create and build several 10 rods so we could talk about how many they had as they were building them. This really helped them to be able to know and understand that 3 rods=30 Magic Snowballs.
Here is a peek at the cards. I included all of the teen numbers because those are often tricky for some of my kiddos.
After making a huge set of 10 rods, students were able to start building numbers.
Since we made a lot, I sent home some snowball tens and ones so my struggling students could practice at home.
You can grab the cards and poem by clicking on the picture below. :)
I hope your kiddos enjoy this activity as much as my kiddos do. :)
From My Heart to Yours,