For this lesson, direct students to create a table on a dry erase board. This table must have two, three or four columns depending on the age and skill level of the student. When setting up the table, have the students write the number that corresponds with the table at the top; 1, 10,100 or 1000. Give the students various numbers to fill their table in with such as 17, 132 or 3872. Once everyone in the class has written their answer, write the correct answer on the overhead, chalkboard or smartboard and let them compare. Check student answers for accuracy and give more attention to students who experienced difficulty.
Creating a mat is a resources that the students can take home with them for additional practice. Use construction paper and draw the appropriate amount of columns, you can then add clear pockets under each column heading using squares of waxed paper and glue around three of the edges. Once the mats are constructed, students can make a set of number cards with single digits on them to place in the pockets in order to construct various numbers. Practicing place value can be done either as a class, or you can give the students a worksheet with number spelled out in words and have them construct them on their map and then write the answer that they came up with on the paper.
Using manipulatives to build numbers can help teach students the "value" in place value. You can use Legos or other small building-type blocks that connect. The idea behind using manipulatives is that students will understand what a "ten" is by being able to count the individual pieces it takes to form ten. They will practice with the manipulatives and eventually get to the point where they understand how larger numbers are formed and what each place value entails.
In this interactive activity, divide the students in your class into two groups, three if you have a larger class. Give each student in each group a sign made out of construction paper with a single digit, zero through nince. Each digit will be represented once in each group. The groups will take turns coming up to the front of the classroom and making a number that you call out with their signs.
For this lesson, give each student a worksheet that is filled with various numbers up to the place value that they are skilled in recognizing. Go through the worksheet together and ask one student at a time to say the next number on the sheet. Then ask all of the students in the class to repeat the correct answer and designate a place value for everyone to circle. For example, if the number on the sheet is 5,487, have one student read the number out loud, the rest of the students will then repeat it, designate a place value such as "circle the digit in the tens place" and then check to see that students have circled the correct answer.