Explore standard and non-standard partitioning with Build It, Break It, a hands-on partner activity for 3 and 4-digit numbers. Student A picks up a number card and builds it with base ten blocks in standard form, then Student B partitions the same number in a non-standard way. Both students record their work before swapping roles.
Moving between standard and non-standard partitions helps students see that a number can be broken apart in more than one correct way, not just by hundreds, tens and ones.
What's included:
2 recording sheets, for 3 or 5 numbers per round, with an option to also record standard partitioning
60 3-digit number cards
60 4-digit number cards, with and without comma versions
Hive members also have access to the Base Ten Blocks app, which pairs well with this activity for students who want to check their standard form build digitally.