Place Value: Math is Super Fun With Tic-Tac-Toe for 2nd Graders
Place value with whole numbers is always more engaging with second graders when you add in games like Tic-Tac-Toe!
Believe it or not, math can be fun! With the help of a little bit of creativity, even 2nd-grade students can enjoy learning the place value of the digits and turning their math lesson into an interactive game of tic-tac-toe. Make kids smile and think differently about math class and the place value system with an engaging activity that will make them beg for more. Read on for all the details to start having Tic Tac Toe playing time during your math lessons while learning about whole numbers with two-digit numbers and larger numbers and the position of a digit.
Why Tic-Tac-Toe for Teaching Place Value
Tic-Tac-Toe brings learning about ones place, tens place, hundredths place, and thousands place alive.
Any game helps students enjoy math more. Games make learning the different values of numbers fun and engaging and provide a threat-free environment for learning.
Introduce the game of showdown with Tic-Tac-Toe.
To begin, grab all the materials you will need.
Calling Cards- that require various place value understanding
Wipe Boards
Tic-Tac-Toe boards and pieces
So let's talk about how Tic-Tac-Toe with showdown works. (Showdown is an engagement strategy I learned from Kagan Cooperative Learning. Click here.)
First, the 2nd-grade teacher or the caller calls out a large number. These numbers may be 2-digit numbers or a bigger number.
Students have to determine the place value of each digit and represent the face value on their wipeboards. (Both players in the partnership.)
The teacher or caller calls for a showdown. Both partners hold up their wipe boards with the face value of a digit, correct positional values, or even the following number. (You want to mix this up so students practice the complete place value standards.) This view is beneficial for the teacher to see who gets it and who doesn't quickly. Keep a list of kids who need more help in a small group later.
Everyone keeps their board intact as the teacher/caller shares the correct answer.
Next, the X or the O (you decided who goes first) can play the tic-tac-toe board IF they have held up the correct number with the valid digit value or have shown the correct position. (Depending on the calling card.) *teaching tip- make sure that BOTH kids are showing their answers. That is a requirement to play the board. You want 100% engagement.
When students get to play the board, they will want to use some tic-tac-toe strategy.
Play continues to the following calling card, showdown, the answer, and then if the next partner gets to play the board IF they are showing knowledge of place values and have reached the correct answer.
Play continues until you have a winner. Have them indicate they won with a silent signal, like fingers crossed. Or hand on their head. You can quickly jot that down and keep going. (No interruptions needed!)
Students wipe the board and play again until YOU decide that time is up.
Playing With Partners
You should teach kids HOW to be partners. How to coach. How to listen. How to celebrate one another. Let kids use base-ten blocks with an orange rod, orange squares, and an orange cube or two.
Keeping Kids Motivated
Gameplay is highly motivating to kids. You may or may not want to hand out a skittle or eraser for the winners. This can also cause issues with kids that don't win. (I personally think this is a good life lesson, but I am also very mindful of struggling students.)
Value of using games
There are so many benefits of using games in the classroom, especially with subjects that feel hard for some kids. Tournaments help keep kids motivated and engaged. Games also incentivize trying.
Final tip About Tic-Tac-Toe Game Play
One final tip for tic-tac-toe. You can easily create a board on a whiteboard or wipe board, but I love creating boards like the one below and laminating the board and the pieces. Kids love to use these boards! Plus, you can use this again and again.
If you're looking for a fun and engaging way to teach the correct places and positions of a digit, look no further than tic-tac-toe! This classic game is a great way to introduce the concept of place value with a given number to your students. It's also a great way to motivate and excite kids about math! So be sure to check out my shop on Tpt for this exciting place value showdown with tic-tac-toe.