If you’ve ever watched a student stare blankly at a three-digit number or heard them confuse “face value” with “place value,” then you know the struggle we face as educators. Like many of you, my journey hasn’t been straightforward—after years in the classroom and an unexpected stint as a union president in Texas (trust me, Texas isn’t always kind to its teachers!), I found myself thinking about how to make deeper, more lasting change for students and the educators who support them.

This summer working with my own grandson preparing him for third grade, I experienced firsthand the hurdles kids encounter—especially English Language Learners—when they’re presented with abstract math concepts without a sturdy foundation. Today, I want to share my best strategies for building place value confidence—particularly for our English Language Learners and struggling readers. These tips aren’t theory; they’re tried, tested, and rooted in real classroom (and kitchen table tutoring) experience!

The Power of Concrete Models: Why We Start with What Kids Can Touch

One of the most common mistakes teachers unknowingly make is jumping too quickly into abstract representations—asking kids to work with numbers on paper before they really understand what those numbers mean. Let me give you an example: When working with my grandson this summer, I pulled out a place value chart with ten frames—something most kids recognize from kindergarten and first grade. Instead of reaching for base ten blocks (which, honestly, many kids find confusing), I used number disks and sticky notes to make each place value physically clear.

Here’s what happened: He finally understood that the zero in 70 isn’t “just a placeholder” but literally means there are zero ones. Suddenly, expanded form clicked. If you think this is too simplistic for your third, fourth, or even fifth graders—think again. Concrete models aren’t babyish; they’re the bridge to true understanding!

Making Instruction Explicit: A Life Raft for ELLs and Struggling Learners!Let’s talk about English Language Learners (ELLs). Plopping kids into lessons that assume they already know English math vocabulary sets them up to sink, not swim. Concepts like “height,” “width,” or even cardinal numbers sound completely foreign—because, for many, they are!

My classroom routines changed when I slowed down, labeled anchor charts with visuals and definitions, and front-loaded the exact language students would need. For example, my word walls aren’t just “cute”—they’re functional. I add the word, an image, and a real-life example. And when teaching skip counting—something often overlooked for ELLs—I connect the English word to the students’ home language, showing how number patterns transfer.

If you’ve ever wondered why “out-of-the-box” curriculum doesn’t work for your population, this is likely why. Ready-made resources can’t anticipate your classroom’s unique needs. Your anchor charts, explicit language, and clarity are ELL accommodations in action.

Closing Gaps with Vertical Alignment and Anticipating Misconceptions

One persistent myth is that struggling with place value is only an “elementary issue.” Not true! Place value confusions show up in middle school algebra, in misaligned decimals, and even when students plot points on number lines.

Here’s what I recommend: Use vertical alignment as your secret weapon. When moving into decimals, always connect back to what students know from whole number place value. If a student can’t build 730 with number disks and ten frames, they will struggle when that decimal creeps in.

Also, make common misconceptions part of your planning. For instance, many kids misconstrue the role of zero, misalign digits in addition and subtraction, or don’t realize that “eight tens” is vastly different from “eight ones.” Anticipate these hurdles, address them with concrete examples, and watch your students’ confidence grow.

Classroom Environment: Your Silent Partner in Student Success

Think your classroom doesn’t influence student understanding? Think again! For years, I was guilty of the “Pinterest-perfect” classroom with bright colors and too many posters. What I learned—and research supports—is that overstimulation can actually hinder learning, especially for our ADHD, 504, and dyslexic kiddos.

Now, everything on my wall serves a direct instructional purpose. Anchor charts are updated, relevant, and referenced in every lesson. Math tool stations (like “Henry’s Math Tools” in my room) give students ownership over their learning and teach them which tools to use and when—not just how to solve a problem, but how to think like a mathematician.

Kinesthetic Learning: Don’t Let Your Kids Sit Still!

Remember those popsicle stick bundles from your certification days? Turns out, they’re still gold—especially for introducing the concept of “bundling” in place value (which, hilariously, some of my students thought referred to hair extensions or “bundles” of money). Make bundling, grouping, and trading physical actions—let your students touch, move, and even negotiate with manipulatives to clarify those big mathematical ideas.

Bring It All Together: From Conceptual to Abstract

Never teach in isolation. Every place value lesson should start with concrete, move to the pictorial, then finally introduce abstract numbers. This side-by-side approach clears up confusion before it takes root and levels the playing field for every learner in your classroom.

Ready to Take Your Math Instruction Further?

I created my Gap Closers membership  with one goal: to empower teachers like you to quickly identify student gaps and close them with proven, classroom-tested strategies. Whether you’re wrestling with place value misconceptions, prepping for standardized testing, or just wanting to bring joy (and sense) back to math—for ELLs, struggling readers, or your whole class—I’m here in your corner, every step of the way.

If you found these tips helpful, I invite you to subscribe to my free resources library—full of  practical guides. Ready to unlock even more support? Check out my digital courses and memberships designed for real teachers, by a real teacher.

Let’s turn those struggles into progress—together. Click here to join the library and explore more blog posts and lesson plans!