Grade 1 Numbers and place value games | Math

Learning about numbers and place value

In this Grade 1 math collection, you can practice 1 more and 1 less, Tens and ones, Ordering numbers to 100. Choose a game above for a short activity, or explore the examples below before you play. The full guide for each game explains its controls, gives more examples and includes a free printable for practice away from the screen.

Talk it through

Use counters, a drawing or a number line before moving to a mental method. Ask your child to explain a choice, then change one number and try the method again.

Ask: “How could you show the same answer another way?” Give your child time to explain. Return to an example after playing and ask whether they would approach it differently.

1 more and 1 less

Finding 1 more or 1 less than a number is one of the first things children learn about how numbers are ordered. 1 more than 6 is 7, the next number when counting forwards. 1 less than 6 is 5, the number before it.

Try an example: What is 1 more than 47?

Count on one from 47: the next number is 48. Only the ones digit changes, from 7 to 8.

Show the answer

What to look out for

Saying 1 less than 40 is 49 or 30. Count back slowly: 42, 41, 40, 39. Point to the numbers on a 100 square so children see 39 sits just before 40.

Read the full 1 more and 1 less guide

Tens and ones

In the game, children balance the scales by partitioning, such as 47 = 40 + ?. The Quick quiz asks two kinds of question: 'What is the value of the 4 in 47?' and '47 = ? tens and 7 ones'. Both check that children see a two-digit number as tens and ones, not just two digits side by side. Solid place value is what makes adding, subtracting and comparing bigger numbers possible.

Try an example: What is the value of the 6 in 63?

The 6 is in the tens place, so it means 6 tens.

Show the answer

What to look out for

Saying the 4 in 47 is worth 4. Ask 'four what?' The answer is four tens, which is 40.

Read the full Tens and ones guide

Ordering numbers to 100

In this game children put five numbers in order, sometimes smallest first and sometimes largest first. Many rounds include a pair with the same digits swapped, such as 34 and 43, because that is exactly where place value understanding shows. You can move the cards with the arrow buttons or by tapping one card and then another to swap them.

Try an example: Put 34, 43, 9, 70, 38 in order, smallest first.

9 has no tens, so it is smallest. Then 34 and 38 (3 tens; 4 ones before 8 ones), then 43, then 70.

Show the answer

9, 34, 38, 43, 70

What to look out for

Thinking 19 is bigger than 31 because 9 is a big digit. Build both numbers with tens and ones. 31 has 3 tens; 19 has only 1.

Read the full Ordering numbers to 100 guide

Practice away from the screen

On the stairs, step up for 1 more and down for 1 less, saying each number.
Use dimes and pennies: make 36¢ in as few coins as possible.
Pick five cards from a pack of 0 to 9 digit cards, make two-digit numbers and put them in order.

Curriculum connections

1 more and 1 less

Practice counting forward and backward by one. This is supporting number-sense practice, rather than the full reading and writing task in 1.NBT.A.1.

Tens and ones

Supports part of Common Core 1.NBT.B.2. This focused game does not cover the entire standard.

Common Core connection: 1.NBT.B.2. This is focused practice for part of the standard.

Ordering numbers to 100

Supports part of Common Core 1.NBT.B.3. This focused game does not cover the entire standard.

Common Core connection: 1.NBT.B.3. This is focused practice for part of the standard.

Questions families ask

Where should we start with numbers and place value?

Start with 1 more and 1 less. Look at the worked example together, then try a round. If the task feels unfamiliar, use the full game guide or its free printable before trying again.

Does this cover everything taught at this level?

No. These games provide focused practice. Grade suggestions do not replace your school’s curriculum, and any Common Core connection applies only to the skill described.