Lesson Plan for Place Value - Essay Example

The student will be first informed about the importance of place values in the field of mathematics. Place values form the very basis of understanding the decimal system. If this concept is not clarified at an early stage the student will lack the very foundation on which he needs to base all future computation problems one needs to tackle.Teaching Aids This is very important as far as understanding this number system is concerned, if not re-enforced with the help of some visible and tangible objects it will appear difficult to the learners.

To help students comprehend this concept the first and foremost teaching aid would be a number chart "hundreds/tens/ones". Once the student is taught to place numbers in this manner the concept becomes simple and students remember it life-long.Method At this stage, the teacher needs to remember that the classroom has students with different needs and capabilities therefore a good lesson should be rendered with the average student in mind. The teacher may use worksheets with a number chart on it and ask students to place given numbers in various combinations.

They can be written on the worksheet and also read out in class. This method will re-enforce student learning further. Sometimes number blocks help specially students who need special attention because actually holding a number block in hand helps in concretizing the concept. Though some Mathematicians have actually pointed out drawbacks in the use of number blocks. First of all Hunting and Lamon (1995) have pointed out "that the concept of number cannot be found in any physical object, the concept has to be built up in the mind"Group work helps students to assimilate knowledge much faster because peer learning is enjoyable and lasting.

It is very surprising how students learn concepts in fun-manner during group activities. Little games can be organized in a class where students actually role play as a buyer and a salesperson and while doing so the students are learning concepts of numbers. Group activities help ESL students too because with their own peer they shed their inhibitions and converse informally with their limited vocabulary and probably a few gestures. Whatever it is the main objective is that students must have a clear number concept in order to solve mathematical problems.

Another method which learners would definitely enjoy is worksheets designed by teacher on the computer. Students should be grouped in pairs and asked to break up given three-digit numbers and place them on a number chart. It is a pleasure for the teacher to watch young learners actually apply their minds and solve the worksheet. A review test conducted after this would highlight the understanding of number concepts by this group of learners.