Partitioning of numbers involves splitting larger numbers into smaller sets so that they are easier to work with.
Partitioning numbers into their place value will not only reinforce place value itself, but build a solid foundation for advanced mathematical skills such as trading, addition and subtraction.
An effective way to verify learning, is to have the student call back a number they have made in partitioned form.
For instance, if the student has made the number 5374, encourage them to point to each cup and say “Five thousands, plus three hundreds, plus seven tens, plus four ones”.
Games which naturally lend to partitioning are variations of the following lessons:
Place Value Dice
The accompanying 10 sided dice are colour matched to the Twisters and are marked to their respective place value magnitude (0-9, 0-90, 0-900, 0-9000). Students roll their dice to randomly create a number made of each different place value. In order to combine each dice value to form a larger number, students are applying their skills of addition through partitioning.
Place Value Blocks
The use of the colour coded base 10 blocks is a staple of teaching place value.
The provided worksheet and placemats allow for students to place their blocks and twister cups in the allotted partition.
The blocks teach the student of the relationship of different units as part of larger numbers and the Twisters combine the separated units as a whole number.
Place Value Cards
Similar to the block games, the provided worksheet automatically separates the number into their allotted partition.
I’m Thinking of a Number
The goal of this game is have the student create a number which fits the criteria that the teacher has set.
The teacher might say “I’m thinking of a number which has three hundreds, five ones and seven thousands” or “I’m thinking of a number that has no hundreds, more than three thousands and is even”
The student has to then form the whole number after considering the it’s partitioned state first.