4 Place Value to 99 Games for 1st Grade

Understanding place value is a crucial skill for 1st grade students, and incorporating fun games into the classroom can make learning more engaging and effective. In this blog post, I’ll explore four exciting place value to 99 games specifically designed for 1st grade students. These games can be played in pairs, independently, or as a whole class, providing opportunities for students to practice and reinforce their understanding of place value concepts. Let’s dive into the games and get ready to make place value learning a blast!

Place Value to 99 Games that Can Be Done as a Class:

Game #1: “I Have… Who Has?” for Place Value

“I Have… Who Has?” is a classic game that promotes active listening and collaboration among students. Pass out a card from the “I Have… Who Has?” set to each student (and if there are more cards than students, give a few students 2 cards). Each of the cards shows different representations of numbers to 99, such as base ten blocks, standard form, expanded form, or word form.

The game begins with one student reading aloud their “I have” statement. If it says “20+3” at the top and “seventy-two” at the bottom, the student would say, “I have 23, who has 72?” The student who has the corresponding card with the number 72 represented in some form at the top would say “I have 72, who has…” The game continues until all the cards have been used. This game not only reinforces place value understanding but also enhances students’ ability to recognize and match different representations of numbers to 99.

Students have to be actively listening and paying attention to know when their number is called. I like to play sets of “I Have… Who Has?” more than once but time the class each time (but change the cards that students get each time). We then try to beat our score each time we play or reach a goal that I set, such as finishing in under 2 minutes. Let me tell you… my class went NUTS when they beat their score, so just adding a little competition helps engage students even more! Make sure to check out this place value to 99 game!

Place Value to 99 Games that Can Be Done in Pairs or Independently:

Game #2: Place Value Dominoes

Place Value Dominoes is an interactive game that allows students to practice reading different place value number forms. Each set of domino cards has a “start” and “end” card. The first domino says “start” on one half and then has a number up to 99 represented either in standard form, expanded form, picture form, or word form. Students then need to find a different domino card that has that same number represented in a different way and match the 2 together. The domino that just matched has a different number beside it that students must then find the match for again.

Students can take turns matching these numbers, connecting them like traditional dominoes. This game reinforces the connection between numerals and their place value representation, promoting a deeper understanding of numbers to 99. You can create your own sets of dominoes for your students or grab these ready-to-go place value to 99 dominoes.

Game #3: Place Value Number Forms Match-Up

Place Value Number Forms Match-Up is a game that helps students recognize and match different forms of numbers to 99, including standard form, expanded form, word form, and picture form. Create cards that match together with each of these number forms for various numbers up to 99. Students can work together by taking the shuffled cards and finding all the different forms of each number to 99. As they make matches, students can lay out all the forms for each number in a row, reinforcing their understanding of numbers up to 99 in different representations.

You could create this game using blank notecards or create a template on PowerPoint. If you’re looking for something more ready to go, you can check out my Place Value to 99 Number Forms Match-Up.

Place Value to 99 Games for Students to Do Independently:

Game #4: Place Value Boom Cards

Boom Cards are interactive, digital activities that can be accessed on tablets, computers, or interactive whiteboards. Not only are they engaging and fun, but students can work through the cards independently, receiving instant feedback on their responses. Boom Cards have truly been a game changer in my classroom, and I love to use them for our technology station and even sometimes as an independent practice.

I can have my students continue to practice skills they’ve been introduced to and receive instant feedback while I’m working with a small group. By setting diamond point goals (read more on this here), I can ensure my students get enough practice to show mastery and if I notice a student keeps attempting the deck but fails to meet the goal each time, I can pull that student into a small group and provide more intervention for them.

After we’ve learned about the different forms of numbers (standard form, expanded form, picture form, & word form), I have my students work on a Different Number Forms to 99 Boom Cards deck. The next concept we focus on is comparing numbers, so a few days later I have my students work on a Comparing Numbers to 99 Boom Cards deck that also represents the numbers in different ways (so my students get practice with 2 concepts at once). My students also work on an Ordering Numbers to 99 Boom Cards deck where they have to order numbers (represented in different forms) from least to greatest and greatest to least.

I truly feel like these decks help solidify my students’ understanding of place value and the students love doing them. You can grab all of the above referenced decks at a discount in my Place Value to 99 Boom Cards Bundle. Because I love Boom Cards so much and think everyone should be utilizing them, you can grab a free deck below to use during your place value to 99 unit:

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Incorporating these four place value to 99 games into your 1st grade classroom will bring excitement and interactivity to place value learning. Whether played as a whole class, in pairs, or independently, these place value games provide valuable opportunities for students to practice and strengthen their understanding of numbers to 99. By engaging in hands-on, collaborative, and digital activities, your students will develop a solid foundation of place value in no time!

P.S. Wanting some more place value games and activities? Check out my collection of place value resources here.

Interested in more Place Value to 99 activities?

• Place Value to 99 Digital Escape Activities
• Place Value to 99 Game Show for PowerPoint
• Winter Place Value to 99 Different Forms Boom Cards

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