Place Value Ones and Tens word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

Place Value Ones and Tens word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this place value puzzle set for my 1st and 2nd graders during our math unit. The kids could say the number 23 but had no idea that the 2 meant two tens and the 3 meant three ones. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like tens, ones, place, value, digit, number, greater, less, group, bundle, sticks, ten frame, expanded form, standard form, and model. Examples include 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and numbers like 14, 27, 36, 45, 52, 68, 73, 81, and 99. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the place value concept finally click.

The PDF is four pages. Three puzzles plus one answer key page. The word search works well for quiet time after recess. The scramble gets them talking because they argue about whether the number 50 has any ones. The crossword I use for partners with base ten block clues. I added a couple simple ten stick and single dot drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 1st through 3rd grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers draw 36 using tens and ones on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.