Break the Bank (Place Value Game)

Break the Bank! (Flexible Decomposition)

Target Grade: 2nd Grade

Objective: Students will decompose 2, 3, or 4-digit numbers in multiple ways, demonstrating that the total value remains the same even when hundreds, tens, and ones are "traded."

[Teacher Prep]

• Materials Needed:  2, 3 , or 4 Dice per student/pair (Different colors are helpful but not required).

  • "Break the Bank" Recording Sheet with Split Tables.

  • Base-ten blocks (Highly recommended for students to "check" their work).

• Lesson Alignment: Reveal Math Unit 2, Lesson 2-4.

• Group Size: Individual or Pairs.

[Student Instructions]

1. Way 1: The Standard Way

Fill in the first row of your table by putting each digit in its "home" spot.

• 4 Hundreds, 1 Ten, 2 Ones.

2. Way 2: The "Trade-a-Hundred" Break

Now, "Break the Bank" by trading one hundred for 10 tens.

• Your 4 hundreds become 3.

• Your 1 ten becomes 11 (the original 1 + the 10 you traded).

• The ones stay the same: 2.

• Check: Does 300+110+2 still equal 412? Yes!

3. Way 3: The "Wild Card" Break

Try a different trade! This time, trade a ten for 10 ones.

• Go back to your standard number (412).

• Keep your 4 hundreds.

• Trade your 1 ten away, leaving you with 0 tens.

• Add those 10 ones to your 2 ones to get 12 ones.

• Check: Does 400+0+12 still equal 412? You nailed it!

[Differentiation Tips]

• Support: Provide physical base-ten blocks. Have students literally "snap" a hundred flat and swap it for 10 rods on their desk before writing it down.

• Challenge: The "Master Thief" Level. Can they decompose the number so there are zero hundreds? (e.g., 0 Hundreds, 41 Tens, 2 Ones).

• Scaffolding: Use a "Part-Part-Whole" mat to show that while the parts change, the "Whole" (the number at the top) never moves.