Creating a place value working model with paper cups is a fun and educational project.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make one:
Materials Needed:
- 4 paper cups
- Cardboard
- Colored paper (different colors for each place value)
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
- Marker or pen
- A craft knife or hole punch
Step by Step Video Instructions:
- Prepare the Paper Cups:
- Take 4 paper cups and label them as “Thousands,” “Hundreds,” “Tens,” and “Ones” using a marker.
- Cut Holes in the Paper Cups:
- On each paper cup, cut a vertical slit from the rim to about halfway down the cup. This slit will allow you to insert and slide the place value numbers up and down. Make sure the slit is wide enough to fit the cardboard strips you will be using for the numbers.
- Create the Place Value Numbers:
- Cut strips of cardboard that are narrow enough to fit into the slits of the paper cups. These strips will be the placeholders for the numbers.
- Cover the strips with colored paper, using a different color for each place value (e.g., red for thousands, blue for hundreds, green for tens, and yellow for ones).
- Write the numbers 0-9 on each strip, making sure each number is large and clear.
- Insert the Number Strips into the Cups:
- Insert the numbered cardboard strips into the slits of the paper cups. Make sure the numbers are facing outward and are visible through the slits.
- Assemble the Cups:
- Arrange the cups in order: Thousands, Hundreds, Tens, and Ones.
- You can glue or tape the cups onto a piece of cardboard to keep them stable and in place.
- Optional Decoration:
- Decorate the cardboard base and the cups with colored paper, stickers, or markers to make your model more attractive.
Using the Model:
- To demonstrate place values, slide the numbered strips up and down to display different numbers.
- For example, if you want to show the number 1,234, place the “1” strip in the Thousands cup, “2” in the Hundreds cup, “3” in the Tens cup, and “4” in the Ones cup.
This model visually represents the concept of place value, helping to understand how each digit’s position affects its value.