Place Value: Gross Motor Snowball
Recommended Grade Level:
Type of Resource: PDF
Number of Pages: 12
Coordinating Activities
Place Value: Gross Motor Snowball
- 20 snowball number cards with three-digit numbers, 2 per page
Cut out the snowballs and spread them around the room for a moving place value game.
Required Materials:
- Paper, printer and ink
- Laminator
- Scissors
Standards for Place Value
This gross motor game supports second grade place value standards connected to reading three-digit numbers and the value of each digit.
Common Core State Standards
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.NBT.A.3: Read and write numbers to 1000 using base-ten numerals, number names and expanded form. Kids read each snowball number and say it in expanded form.
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.NBT.A.1: Understand that the three digits of a three-digit number represent amounts of hundreds, tens and ones. Kids tell the value of each digit.
TEKS for Mathematics
- TEKS 2.2(B): Use standard, word and expanded forms to represent numbers up to 1,200. Kids read each snowball number and say it in expanded form.
Virginia Mathematics Standards of Learning
- 2.NS.2.b: Read, write and represent three-digit numbers in standard form, expanded form and word form, using concrete or pictorial representations. Kids read each snowball number and say it in expanded form.
- 2.NS.2.c: Apply patterns within the base 10 system to determine and communicate, orally and in written form, the place (ones, tens, hundreds) and value of each digit in a three-digit whole number. Kids say the value of each digit.
Place Value: Gross Motor Snowball gets second grade kids up and moving as they read three-digit numbers and talk about the value of each digit.
Spread the snowball cards around the room. Call a clue like “Find a number with 7 hundreds” or “Find 738,” and kids hop or walk to the snowball that matches.
Use the same cards for a quick place value check: kids pick a snowball and say the number, its expanded form and the value of each digit.
How to Use Place Value: Gross Motor Snowball
- Print, laminate and cut out the snowballs.
- Spread them on the floor or tape them to the wall.
- Call a clue about a number.
- Kids move to the matching snowball.
- Kids read the number and say the value of each digit.
Indoor Recess: Use the snowballs for a winter movement break.
Small Group: Have kids write each number in expanded form.
Easy Ways to Differentiate This Gross Motor Game
Every group has a mix of place value and movement skills. These simple changes keep the activity familiar while meeting each child where they are.
For Children Who Need More Support:
- Use a few snowballs at a time.
- Read the number together.
- Use a place value chart.
- Give clues about one digit.
For On-Level Practice:
- Find each snowball.
- Read each number.
- Say the value of each digit.
- Write the expanded form.
For an Extra Challenge:
- Find the number that is 10 more.
- Order the snowballs from least to greatest.
- Write each number in word form.
- Give clues to a partner.
For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support:
- Talk through each step together and give plenty of wait time.
- Accept pointing, gestures, AAC or any communication method the child already uses.
- Let kids walk, roll or point to the snowball.
- Use a place value mat.
Place Value: Gross Motor Snowball Is Perfect For:
- Second grade
- Third grade
- Winter themes
- Brain breaks
- Math centers
- Small-group instruction
- Intervention
- Special education
- ELL and multilingual learners
- Homeschool
