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2nd Grade Mathematics Lesson

The Power of Bundling: Unlocking Hundreds, Tens, and Ones

Shared by A STEM Educator

2nd GradeBuilding Thinking ClassroomsCCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.NBT.A.1, CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.NBT.A.1a, CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.NBT.A.350 min
Learning Objective

Students will compose and decompose 3-digit numbers using hundreds, tens, and ones, including numbers with zero in a place value position and numbers requiring regrouping, and explain why 10 of any unit bundles into the next larger unit.

Lesson Overview

Students explore place value to 1,000 through a stick-gum factory context, progressing from counting tens to regrouping and flexible decomposition of 3-digit numbers. Groups work at vertical non-permanent surfaces using thin-sliced tasks that change one variable at a time.

Materials

  • Vertical whiteboards or large chart paper taped to walls
  • Dry-erase markers (one per group)
  • Erasers or paper towels
  • Physical Base-10 blocks (Flats, Rods, Units) — one set per group
  • Place value chart mats (drawn on boards or printed)
  • Random grouping cards or sticks
  • Anchor chart paper for Base-10 Bundling Rule
  • Exit slip half-sheets (printed or written)

Scaffolded Task Progression

1Task 1
A stick-gum factory packs single sticks of gum into packs of 10. Then they bundle 10 packs into 1 mega-box of 100. The factory manager has 14 packs of 10. How can she re-pack them into mega-boxes, packs, and single sticks so she uses the FEWEST total boxes?
2Task 2
The factory ships 2 mega-boxes (hundreds), 5 packs (tens), and 3 single sticks (ones). Draw this using quick-draw Base-10 symbols: Square = , Line = , Dot = . Write the total 3-digit number!

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