Powerfully simple PLACE VALUE game that Gets Students Actively Moving

This game is simple but 4th grade math students love it.  It works both as a math activity and as a way to get students working together.

First, here is a great site for making worksheets.  4th grade math

If you try the game with your students, make sure to prep them about proper behavior.  Usually, if you explain that a team that is too loud will lose points groups are well behaved.  Giving high value points is also a great way to get students to start paying attention to place value.

The only hard part about this game is getting some kind of large number cards that can be seen by the whole class.  Note: the FREE number cards here need some kind of backing so students can not see through them.  I just glue these to construction paper.  I have them laminated so I can use them year after year. Click here for free number cards.

Once you have large single digit number cards that students can not see through, just place them in a mixed up order on the floor like a game of memory.  You have to make sure the cards get back into the same spot, so it helps to have a lot of cards like a game of memory.  Now the fun begins.  Each group has to follow your directions to build large numbers as a group under certain time restrictions.  I like 20 seconds.  Students build their number say it and write it on the board.  The students then return the cards to the floor flipping them over so that students have to try to remember where the numbers are like in a game of memory.  Play two rounds.  The group with the largest number wins.