Place Value Game Show for 3rd Grade

Most schools and teachers start the school year by reviewing and practicing place value skills. It’s the basis for almost every math concept that will be taught in every elementary grade level. One of the ways I like to start my place value unit is by playing this Place Value Game Show. It’s like a pre-test for the whole class and a way to help my students begin bonding as a class!

Getting Started

Here’s what I do.

Before I begin instruction on place value, I like to use this game to assess the general place value knowledge of my students. Randomly place students into 3 teams. (It’s too early in the year to know the real math levels of my students)

Creating teams also helps students begin to work together. While students are working – walk around and listen. You will hear great math conversations and begin to understand what you will need to teach during your place value unit. Not only that – it will give you an idea of who needs a review of 2nd-grade place value concepts.

How to Play Place Value Game Show

The board is comprised of 5 categories with 5 questions in each. The questions are given a value of 100 – 500 points. Students can choose any category or point value, and the goal is to have the most points by the end of the game. (when all of the questions have been asked)

The five categories cover different ways to know and show place value of 3 and 4 digits numbers. These are the categories:

Category 1 – What’s the Number?

Students are given arrangements of base ten blocks which they will count to determine the number. This gives me an idea of how well they know the base ten blocks values and if they can put them together.

Category 2 – Expanded Form

Most students have learned how to write numbers in expanded form by 3rd grade. This year they will increase that practice into 3 and 4 digit numbers. This category helps me to see if they can do that and how quickly.

Category 3 – Underlined Digit

Knowing a number and knowing the place value of it are two different things, but it definitely trips up our young learners. So, this category gives them the opportunity to determine the value of a digit in a 3 or 4 digit number. Do they know the difference between the value of a number and the number digit?

Category 4 – Which Set?

Base ten blocks again are used to determine a number, but this category gives students the number and they must choose which set of blocks is correct. This increases the difficulty and the rigor – which is what we want!

Category 5 – Create a Number

Students love the challenge of this one! They are given 5 digits and asked to create the largest number they can. This is another effective way to see if they understand the value of digits.

This is such a great activity for back to school! Your students will love the idea of playing math games and you will have a fun and engaging activity that is absolutely NO PREP! You have so many other things to do.

How to Navigate this Game

Navigating this game is really easy – you just have to remember these buttons:

• Answer – takes you to the answer slide
• Return – takes you back to the Jeopardy board
• Calculator – takes you to the Scoreboard

This PowerPoint Place Value game is played in presentation mode. If you exit presentation mode – the scoreboard resets. This also means that you can play this game more than once.

Play it before you begin teaching place value – then play it again at the end of the unit. You will love the difference!

Do you want this engaging and fun NO PREP Back to School Math Game for your class? You can find Place Value Game Show for 3rd Grade in my store!

Looking for more Place Value activities?

Place Value Math Centers: Give your students hands-on practice with this set of 5 place value centers! This resource is perfect for use throughout your place value unit!

Place Value Error Analysis Task Cards: Challenge your students with error analysis! This set of task cards requires students to solve error analysis situations and write to explain their findings and thinking.

If you want to learn more about teaching place value – these posts can help!

• The Reason Why Using Hands-On Place Value Strategies is Still Important in 3rd Grade
• A Place Value Game Your Students Will Beg You to Play!
• 5 Hands-On Ways to Explore Place Value in Math Centers