Place Value Assessment Paper

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INTRODUCTION
Place value and the base ten number system are two extremely important areas in mathematics. Without an in-depth understanding of these areas students may struggle in later mathematics. Using an effective diagnostic assessment, such as the place value assessment interview, teachers are able to highlight students understanding and misconceptions. By highlighting these areas teachers can form a plan using the many effective tasks and resources available to build a more robust understanding. A one-on-one session with Joe, a Year 5 student, was conducted with the place value assessment interview. From the outlined areas of understanding and misconception a serious of six tutorial lessons were planned. The lessons were designed using …show more content…

Joe’s diagnostic assessment started out strong completing the two digit numbers with confidence. Moving on to the three digit numbers cracks in Joe’s understanding started to appear. Joe showed a good understanding of reading, writing and ordering two and three digit numbers. The knowledge of some more, some less and the ability of partitioning two digit numbers were also clear. Joe acknowledged that 36 less 10 is 26 because, “if you take away one bundle you are left with two bundles and six single ones.” The partitioning of the number 36 was achieved by splitting it into 26 and 10. Up until the point of some more, some less in the three digit numbers section Joe was displaying a strong understanding of place …show more content…

Though when asked what number is ten less than 408 Joe answered “three hundred and ninety two”. Joe being unable to give the number that is ten less of 408 displays a misconception of the base ten number system and the role the tens play, Burns (2010). Joe did not display the understanding that 408 is 40 tens and 8 ones and when one ten is removed he is left with 39 tens and 8 ones giving him the answer of 398. This misconception was displayed again when Joe declared he was unable to partition 592. Joe could not see 592 as 4 hundreds, 19 tens and 2 ones or 5 hundreds, 8 tens and 12 ones. In addition to the misconception of the base ten number system and the role the tens play Joe displayed a misunderstanding of early multiplicative thinking. Joe was asked how many times bigger is 300 than 3 and how many times bigger is 300 than 30. Joe answered the multiplicative questions using subtraction giving the answers 297 and 270, respectively. The use of subtraction implies that Joe sees multiplication as addition and does not relate multiplication with division, Booker et al. (2014). Joe did not make the connection that 3 goes into 300 one hundred times therefore 300 is one hundred times bigger than 3. The same connection was not made for the second question, 30 goes into 300 ten times therefore 300 is ten times bigger than 30. At this point in the interview it was clear what areas of

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