Chicka Chicka
Place Value

Activity Overview

Numeration and place value concepts are paramount foundational elements, upon which many mathematical understandings are built. Practicing the order of numerals 0-9 leads to more advanced development of place value as students examine the repetition of those numerals in the ones place, as well as in the tens place.

What You Need

• Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3 printout

• Scissors

• Be sure your child has an Epic Books account so they can access the story needed for this activity.

• (Optional) Laminating machine and paper or clear packaging tape

• (Optional) Velcro

Steps

1. Print out the materials and cut out the digit cards. Color in the tree if you like. Color in or laminate any pieces for repeated use.

   1. If laminated, you can also add velcro to the back of the digit cards, as well as velcro to the tree, and adhere the digits onto the tree.

2. Find a place to designate as the “top of the tree.” Consider something that allows the student to physically represent the act of climbing (on the back of a couch, at the top of an indoor climbing structure or slide, on the stairs). Review any relevant safety rules if applicable.

3. Spend some time identifying each numeral on the digit cards. Play around with them. Put them in order.

4. Access Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3 on the Epic app. Pause after each page and select the digit cards that go along with each part of the story. Act out each page by physically bringing the digit cards up the tree and back down again. Use the guiding questions during your discussion as you count along with the book.

Guiding Questions

• Can you count to 10? Prompt your student to use their fingers if it is helpful. If the student gets stuck, prompt them by recounting from one together, or offering the next number to continue and complete the entire order.

• What happens when you get to a number that is bigger than nine?

• A digit is a number between zero and nine. Some numbers have two numbers or digits together, called “two-digit”, or “three-digit” numbers. How can you use the digit cards to make numbers bigger than nine?

• Use the digit cards to make the numbers one and 10. What is the same about these numbers? (they both have a one). What is different about these numbers? (10 has a zero in it, and 10 has two numbers or digits together). Use your fingers to show one on one person’s hands, and 10 on another person’s hands. Which has more? Which has less?

• What is one more than ___? How do you know?

Extensions

• If appropriate for your student’s learning, consider practicing larger numbers. One day you may bring all the numbers from 20-30 up the tree.

• Create more copies of the digit cards from the printable resource. Consider practicing a new group of 10 each week.