plavalmat® Place Value Counters

In the maths curriculum, place value describes what every digit in a number is worth depending on its position.  Place value is a fundamental maths concept which is essential for children to understand in order to master the maths curriculum.

When the same digit is put in a different column on a place value grid, the value changes. E.g. in the number 4,532 the 4 digit is worth a 4 thousands, whereas in 3,204 the 4 digit has a value of 4 ones.

As a digit is put into the neighbouring column to the left, the value of the digit becomes ten times larger.  When a digit is moved in to the column to the right, the value of the digit becomes ten times smaller. 

Place value resources are beneficial to help children to understand concepts of exchanging and regrouping which is needed to master addition and subtraction.  They can be used to support multiplication and division (for example using the counters to multiply and divide by 10, 100 and 1000).  Furthermore, older children will find them useful to explore the relationship between equivalent fractions, decimals and percentages.

A place value counter (also called place value disks) are a fun, practical and interactive way for children to master their understanding of number and place value.  They are essential primary resources that can be used on their own or with place value charts, tables and grids to explore what each digit in a number is worth and how a digit can be the same but by physically manipulating a counter and placing it in a different column its value can change.  This knowledge is essential in order to develop the strong foundations needed to progress through the primary maths curriculum (see more information about Ready to Progress criteria) and to be successful in Year 2 and Year 6 SATs.  

Place value counters are particularly useful tools for transitioning children from concrete learning to pictorial learning in order to grasp more complex abstract maths concepts (CPA approach) and usually have printed letters or numbers on to represent the following values: Millions, Hundred Thousands, Ten Thousands, Thousands, Hundreds, Tens, Ones, tenths, hundredths and thousandths.  

Place Value in Year 2 and 3

Place value begins in KS1 maths national curriculum with children learning the place value of numbers, mainly Tens and Ones in Year 2.

In Year 3, children continue to become more fluent in place value, focusing on 3-digit numbers (Hundreds, Tens and Ones).

Our Y2/3 place value counters set contains 120 double sided counters (40 of each value HTO).

We also have place value charts (our plavalmat® place value mats) that can be used with our interactive maths counters.  Choose between our Tens and Ones place value chart which is great for children in Year 2 who are still learning number bonds to 20, or our Hundreds, Tens and Ones place value chart that is perfect for children in Year 3.

Find out more about the place value objectives for Year 2 and Year 3.

Place Value in Years 3 and 4

When Y3 pupils are ready to move on, they can work work with numbers to at least 1000 and decimals to tenths.

In Y4, children master their understanding of 4-digit numbers and decimals down to hundredths.

Our Y3/4 set of place value counters contains 240 double sided counters with whole numbers (Thousands > Ones); and decimals (0.1 & 0.01) with fraction equivalents on the back (1/10 & 1/100).

We also have created more durable printed maths place value tables with decimals that are made from natural rubber (our plavalmat® range) that have can be used with our place value counters in KS2.  

Our Thousands to decimals place value chart can be used in lower KS2 with children in Year 3 or Year 4 who are learning place value up to 1000s or down to 0.01.

Find out more about the place value objectives for Year 3 and Year 4.

Place Value in Years 5/6

By the end of KS2, learners are expected to know the place value up to Millions; and decimals from tenths to thousandths with fraction and percentage equivalents (FDP).

Our Y5/6 set contains 400 double sided counters with whole numbers from Ones to Millions; and decimal numbers (0.1, 0.01 0.001) with fractions (1/10, 1/100, 1/1000) and percentages (10%, 1%, 0.1%) on the back.

We also have a Year 5 or Year 6 place value chart to millions that has been designed to be used with our place value counters to support the 2014 primary maths mastery curriculum.

They can also be used as essential secondary maths resources, especially in Year 7 with pupils who have not mastered the primary curriculum by the end of Year 6 which is needed in order to make the required progress with the KS3 maths curriculum.  You may find our section on Ready to Progress helpful.

You may like to read our blog article 'WHY MATHS COUNTERS STILL HAVE VALUE IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL'  which explains how place value disks are beneficial for use with low attaining pupils and students across the ability range to deliver the KS3 maths curriculum.

If you want to compare the features of our place value counters with others currently available, you might find this article interesting: 'WHAT ARE THE BEST PLACE VALUE COUNTERS FOR CHILDREN?'

Find out more about the place value objectives for Year 5 and Year 6.