1.NBT.2: Understanding Place Value

I can understand that the two digits of a two-digit number represent amounts of tens and ones.

What Your Child Needs to Know

This standard helps your child understand that numbers like 23 or 47 are made up of groups of tens and individual ones. In first grade, children learn that the digit on the left tells how many groups of ten, and the digit on the right tells how many individual ones. This foundational understanding prepares them for addition, subtraction, and comparing numbers.

Children typically start by working with physical objects (like bundles of ten sticks) before moving to abstract understanding. They learn that 23 means "2 groups of ten plus 3 individual ones" which equals 20 + 3.

Real World Practice

Visual models and hands-on activities

Visual Models

1. Base Ten Blocks

Use base ten blocks (or draw them) where a "ten rod" represents 10 and small cubes represent 1. Show 34 as 3 ten-rods and 4 individual cubes.

2. Bundled Objects

Bundle straws, popsicle sticks, or pencils into groups of 10. Use rubber bands to hold bundles together. Show 25 as 2 bundles plus 5 loose items.

3. Ten Frames

Draw rectangles divided into 10 spaces. Fill complete ten frames first, then show remaining ones in a partial frame.

4. Place Value Chart

Create a simple two-column chart labeled "Tens" and "Ones." Place objects or draw dots in the correct columns.

Everyday Activities

1. Counting Collections

Gather items like buttons or coins. Group them into tens and count: "1 ten, 2 tens, 3 tens... plus 4 ones makes 34."

2. Money Practice

Use dimes (worth 10 cents) and pennies (worth 1 cent). Show that 3 dimes and 7 pennies equals 37 cents.

3. Age and Years

Talk about decades: "Grandma is 67 years old. That's 6 groups of 10 years plus 7 more years."

4. Snack Time

When giving snacks, group them: "Here are 2 groups of 10 crackers plus 3 extra crackers. How many crackers is that?"

5. Building with Blocks

Use LEGO or other building blocks. Make towers of 10, then count total blocks using place value language.

Quick Checks

Strategies and quick activities

Strategies When Your Child Struggles

1. Start with Concrete Objects

Always begin with real objects they can touch and move. Abstract understanding comes after concrete experience.

2. Use Consistent Language

Always say "3 tens and 4 ones" rather than just "34." This reinforces the place value concept.

3. Connect to What They Know

Relate to familiar concepts: "Remember counting by 10s? Each ten is like one of those jumps."

4. Practice with Smaller Numbers

If two-digit numbers are hard, practice with teen numbers first (11-19) to build understanding.

5. Make it Visual

Draw pictures or use manipulatives for every problem until the concept becomes clear.

5-Minute Practice Activities

Activity 1: Show Me the Number

Say a number like 26. Have your child show it using objects: "Show me 2 groups of ten and 6 ones."

Activity 2: What's My Number?

Show groups of tens and ones. Ask: "I have 4 tens and 3 ones. What number is this?"

Activity 3: Break It Apart

Give a number like 35. Ask: "How many tens? How many ones? What does 35 mean?"

Activity 4: Build and Count

Have your child build a number with objects, then count by tens and ones: "10, 20, 30... 31, 32, 33."

Check Progress

Track improvement

By the middle of the year, your child should:

  • Understand that teen numbers (11-19) have 1 ten and some ones
  • Show two-digit numbers using objects grouped by tens and ones
  • Explain that 23 means "2 tens and 3 ones"

By the end of the year, your child should:

  • Quickly identify tens and ones in any two-digit number
  • Understand that 47 = 40 + 7 = 4 tens + 7 ones
  • Use place value understanding to solve simple problems
  • Recognize that the position of a digit determines its value

Simple Assessment:

Show your child the number 38. Ask: "How many tens? How many ones? What does this number mean?"
Give your child 5 groups of ten objects and 2 individual objects. Ask: "What number does this show?"
Ask your child to show you 29 using any objects or drawings.

Differentiation

Support for all learning levels

Below Grade Level

If your child is struggling with place value, these resources focus on building foundational understanding with concrete objects and smaller numbers.

📥 Download Practice Worksheet

At Grade Level

These resources provide practice at the first grade level, focusing on understanding tens and ones in two-digit numbers.

📥 Download Grade Level Worksheet

Above Grade Level

If your child has mastered basic place value, these resources extend their learning with more challenging place value concepts.

📥 Download Challenge Worksheet