Grade 1Mathmedium
Understanding Place Value - Tens and Ones
This worksheet helps students understand the value of digits in two-digit numbers, focusing on tens and ones place values.
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What Your Child Will Learn
- Identify the tens digit and ones digit in any two-digit number from 10-99
- Determine how many groups of ten and individual ones make up a given two-digit number
- Compare the value of digits based on their position in tens or ones place
- Represent two-digit numbers using place value blocks or drawings showing tens and ones
- Break apart two-digit numbers into their tens and ones components (e.g., 47 = 4 tens + 7 ones)
How to Use This Worksheet
- Step 1: Review place value positions by having your child point to and name the tens place and ones place in sample numbers before starting the worksheet
- Step 2: Work through the first 2-3 problems together, having your child circle or underline each digit and explain what place it's in and what it represents
- Step 3: For problems involving counting objects or place value blocks, have your child physically count groups of ten first, then count the remaining ones
- Step 4: Encourage your child to check their work by building each number with manipulatives or drawing simple pictures showing tens and ones
- Step 5: Complete the remaining problems independently, with you available to help if they get stuck on distinguishing between digit position and value
Tips for Parents & Teachers
Use physical manipulatives like base-ten blocks, bundled straws, or counting bears grouped in tens to make the concept concrete before moving to abstract numbers on paper
Watch for the common mistake where students confuse the digit's name with its value - help them understand that the '3' in 34 represents 3 tens (30), not just 3
When students struggle with larger numbers like 60 or 80, emphasize that the zero in the ones place means 'no extra ones' - use empty ones columns in place value charts to visualize this
Encourage students to say numbers in expanded form aloud (e.g., '25 is 2 tens and 5 ones') as they work through problems to reinforce the place value concept
Frequently Asked Questions
My child keeps saying '23' is '2 and 3' instead of '2 tens and 3 ones'. How can I help them understand the difference?
This is very common! Use physical objects like 23 crackers - group 20 into two groups of 10 and leave 3 separate. Show them that the '2' represents those two groups of ten (20 crackers), not just 2 individual crackers. Practice with different numbers using snacks, toys, or blocks.
Should my first grader memorize place value rules or understand the concept first?
Understanding should come first! At this age, focus on hands-on activities and visual representations rather than memorizing rules. Once they truly understand that digits have different values based on position, the 'rules' will make natural sense to them.
My child gets confused with numbers like 30, 40, 50 where there's a zero in the ones place. Any tips?
Use the phrase 'no extras' for the zero. Show them 30 as exactly 3 groups of ten with 'no extra ones left over.' You can demonstrate with 30 objects - count out 3 groups of 10 and show the empty space where ones would go.
How can I tell if my child is ready for place value beyond tens and ones?
Your child should be able to quickly identify tens and ones in any two-digit number, explain what each digit represents, and show numbers using manipulatives without help. They should also understand that 43 is different from 34 because the digits are in different positions.
What if my child can do the worksheet but can't explain their thinking about place value?
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