1-2-3 Come Do a Place Value Christmas Tree With Me

I am so excited to share my latest place value craft that I just finished. 

As you know, studying place value can be a bit tedious for some students, so I designed this "decorate a Christmas tree" craft, to put some “Woo Hoo!” into practicing place value.

Creating a super-cute PVT (Place Value Tree) is an especially fun activity for your students, and a nice alternative to worksheets; making it that “extra special something” you can do for the month of December.

Completed projects turn out absolutely adorable, and make an outstanding bulletin board or hallway display.

I’ve included 2 posters to help decorate.

You’re sure to get lots of compliments, as the results definitely have that “Wow!” factor, as mixing math concepts with an artistic twist is truly interesting.

The packet is very versatile, with lots of creative options for your students to choose from, which not only results in a nice variety of Christmas trees, but allows you to diversify your lessons.

A place value tree appeals to a variety of ages and abilities.

The versatility allows younger kiddos, as well as older students, to create a Christmas tree that will have a two, three or even 4-digit number value!

Keep things simple for little ones and limit the number of decorative pieces and options, while challenging older students to create a bigger value for their trees.

The sample on your right uses "ones" blocks for ornaments, with a tree trunk made out of two, "10s" rods; giving it a total value of just 32. Perfect for students working on two-digit numbers.

The sample on the left, has a value of 769. This tree has no trunk (However, there are 4 trunk options to choose from), while the 1st tree, at the beginning of my post, not only has a 100-block trunk, but a decorative tree stand pot as well. Notice the "holly berry" is a ones block.

A 10s rod can also be a fun decoration. Make them look like a peppermint stick, by coloring an AB-AB (red-white) color pattern with a red marker or crayon.

Check out the last sample tree at the end of this article, to see how I made a 10s rod look like a candlestick, with a ones block glued on diagonally, for a "flame".

I had an absolute blast designing my samples, so I can safely say, that I think your students will also have a great time making their own place value Christmas tree. 

Thirteen tree patterns, 4 stars and 2 angel tree toppers to choose from; plus  endless ways you can mix and match the ones, tens and hundreds block ornaments, provides a lot of variety to your classroom's creations, making for an awesome display.

Once children have finished their place value tree, they figure out how much it is “worth”.

Solving this “mystery math” problem is also a ton of fun.

I’ve provided several worksheet options that will help students figure this out, as they practice and reinforce the various concepts of place value.

I've put a worksheet next to the matching tree in the photographs below.

Choose which worksheets are most appropriate for your kiddos. 

Each of the 3 is different enough, so that you can do all of them. 

"Showing" their math of how they came up with their total, and explaining any conversions that they had to make, is a simple way to assess comprehension too.

The half-page worksheet on the left, is great for practicing a variety of  math skills associated with place value.

Picking a partner and comparing their tree with a classmate's, provides practice with "greater, less than and equal to", math standards as well.

A worksheet can also be part of your display. 

Students can write their total on the star or angel tree topper, or so that the place value really shows up, you can run off the 6 different elf tags, for children to write their name and the value of their tree on; placing the tag next to their Christmas tree on your bulletin board. 

I've also included several present patterns, if you'd like to add some gifts under the tree.

These are decorated with a ones block in the bow, a 10s rod on the ribbon, or a 100s block as a gift tag. 

The trees look pretty with a black, blue or purple, construction-paper background, with the gifts glued underneath.

 There are also several whole-group activities for graphing, data collection and analysis as well.

Limited time? This makes a super-fun homework assignment.

Another idea is to have students work with a partner or create one PVT in a small group of three, which will divide up the work and expedite completion.

Here’s a fun challenge: Give the small group a total tree value, and see how close they can get to hitting that number.

Today's featured FREEBIE is a "Sweet Tweet"; which is an interesting and fun way for students to practice writing. 

Students color, cut and glue the bird to the top of their writing prompt paper, then each day (for 10 days) they jot down (tweet) something sweet that they've done. (After all, Santa and the elves are watching & very interested in this information!)

Well that's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by.

'Tis the season for attending all sorts of activities, so time to go see the school Christmas play. Three of our 10 grandchildren are old enough to be in it this year. 

Wishing you a delightful December, filled with many memorable and love-filled moments.

"Christmas, gives us time to pause and reflect on the most important things around us." -David Cameron

 

Get To The Point!

A Lovely December Bulletin Board Idea

                                                                                                            Here’s How:

Cover your bulletin board with black paper.  If you want to add a 3-D effect, twirl some green crepe paper and use it as a border.

Run off the leaf pattern on green construction paper.  Each student needs two leaves.  One they will add “veins” to with a green marker or crayon.

On the other leaf they will complete the sentence: In December I like to…

Before hand, assemble your students in front of the board and brainstorm things they like to do in December.

Write the list of activities on the board so that children can choose several and compose a sentence that they will write on their second leaf.

Students cut out their leaves and glue them to the back of their poinsettia flower after they have glued it together.

Run off the petal template on red construction paper. Each student will need 12.

This is a lot of cutting for younger students, so you might want them pre-cut and folded by a room helper.  Older students will have no problem.

I think these poinsettias are prettiest when run off on red construction paper, but you could also shrink the pattern and have your students make a smaller white version with less petals as well.

When you scatter both the large red and smaller white blooms on the black background you will have a really striking December bulletin board.

Students rub glue on the folded part of the petal and glue it to another folded part of another petal continuing until they have connected all 12 petals so they have a huge poinsettia flower.

 

The day before, make gold glitter blobs on yellow construction paper.  Children or a room helper can cut these into circles.

Students make a 3-circle clump and using glue dots, stick it to the center of their poinsettia.

One big yellow pom pom also works well, but I think the glitter is more striking.

Using an Ellison die cut machine, cut letters out for your caption and run it above your bulletin board:  “Our Writing is Blooming!”  “Wishing you a Brrrr-illiant December!”  “A Bouquet of December Thoughts.” “Our Writing Skills Have Blossomed!”

 

Click on the link to view/print Poinsettia December bulletin board pattern.

Click on the link to view/print History of the Poinsettia.  You can print this off and hang it on or next to your December Bulletin board.

Be sure to check out the other December Bulletin board ideas by scrolling down!

As always, if you have a December bulletin board idea you'd like to share, I'd enjoy hearing from you! diane@teachwithme.com