Breaking It Down: Teaching Numbers in Expanded Form with 8 Fun Activities

June 29, 2025

It’s time to tackle numbers in expanded form with your class, and you need a few ideas to help you get started…no problem, that’s what I’m here for. Today, I’m walking you through the lessons and fun activities I use to teach numbers in expanded form. I actually break this place value concept into two sections over two days. First, I teach students how to compose and decompose numbers through the hundreds place and do all the practice activities for that, and then we build on that by looking at numbers in expanded form all the way through the thousands period on the next day, and have fun with the activities associated with that.

Mini Lessons and Anchor Charts

Day 1: To help students get a visual understanding of decomposing numbers in expanded form, start with place value blocks. For example, you might build the number 497 using place value blocks and use this number to show them how each type of block correlates to part of the expanded form of the number.

There are 4 hundreds blocks, so we write 400.
There are 9 tens blocks, so we add 90.
There are 7 ones blocks, so we add 7.
400+90+7 is the expanded form number 497.

Practice numbers in expanded form a few more times with place value blocks and then without place value blocks. After students are comfortable decomposing numbers, show them how to start with an expanded form number and write it in standard form. Ask students if they noticed any patterns and discuss student responses. Record student learning on an anchor chart or use a premade anchor chart to help students visualize the steps for writing numbers in expanded form.

Day 2: Once you feel confident that students understand numbers in expanded form with three digits, write a six-digit number where students can see it. To review, have the students practice reading the number aloud. Demonstrate how to break the larger number into expanded form by writing the digit in the largest place and filling in all the places behind it with zeros. Make an addition symbol, then write the second digit and fill in all the places behind it with zeros. Continue down the line until you reach the ones place. Demonstrate with more examples and make sure to include numbers with zeros in a place so you can demonstrate what it looks like to have a zero value in expanded form numbers.

To help struggling learners, use a place value pocket chart. Have students write 0 on the back of all the number cards. To break into expanded form, they should keep the first digit and turn all the rest of the cards to the “0” side. This will be the first number in the expanded form equation. They can turn one digit at a time back to the front to create each piece of the expanded form number. Add this new learning to your numbers in expanded form anchor chart or use a premade anchor chart to help students visualize the steps for writing numbers in expanded form through the hundred thousands place.

Use Cooperative Activities to Practice Writing Numbers in Expanded Form

Day 1: Now that students have the hang of writing numbers in expanded form, let them practice with each other in a cooperative activity. Make or download pairs of cards with a standard form number on one card and the expanded form version of that number on a separate card. Make or print enough pairs so that every student in the class can have one card. While you play upbeat music, students should move about the room trading cards with classmates as they move. When the music stops, students should look at the card in their hand and find a partner holding a card with a matching value. Once they find their partners, students should be seated to make it easier for classmates still searching for a match. Check pairs for accuracy and play again as time allows.

Day 2: For cooperative practice with numbers in expanded form up to 999,999, put students in groups of 3-5. Make or print a set of eight number cards with numbers between one thousand and one million. Place the cards face down in the middle of each group. One student should draw a card and show it to the group. All members of the group secretly write the number in expanded form and give a signal to let the leader know they are ready. When the leader sees that everyone is ready, he/she can give a signal and all members of the group will reveal their answers, comparing and coaching incorrect answers until all agree on the correct answer. Rotate jobs so that all members of the group get a chance to be the leader.

NOTE: I set up math stations in my classroom for the next few activities (interactive notebooks, partner games, worksheets) and have students rotate to each activity. I stay with the group completing the worksheet so that I can observe as a formative assessment and reteach as necessary.

Use Interactive Notebooks for Practice with Numbers in Expanded Form

Day 1: Unpack the Numbers: Have students cut out the title and the three long rectangle pieces. They will write the numbers in expanded form in the spaces provided and then accordion/zig-zag fold the pieces so that only the number section shows on top. Use a small amount of glue on the narrow tab to glue into notebooks.

Day 2: Place Value Chart and Expanded Form Flip Book: Have students cut apart the flaps and stack them from longest to shortest to create a place value chart. As they lift each section of the chart, they will be able to see the expanded form of the digit in that place.

Play Games with Numbers in Expanded Form

Day 1: Teach students to play a partner game called Place Value Spin Off.

Materials:

Playing cards #1-9
spinner with sections for ones, tens, and hundreds
paperclip & pencil to use as the spinning tool
recording sheet

Directions:

Mix the playing cards and place them face down between you and your partner.
During each round, both players will draw 3 cards and use those to make a three-digit number.
Write the number on your recording sheet and then break it apart into expanded form.
Once both players are ready, one player uses a paper clip and pencil to spin the place value wheel and determine which place value the players will compare.
The player who has the largest number in the place being compared earns a point for that round.
The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Day 2: Teach students to play a partner game called Zero the Hero.

Materials:

place value dice (up to 6 digits)
spinner with 6 sections and labeled ones place through hundred thousands place
pencil and a paperclip to use as a spinning tool
recording sheet

Directions:

On your turn roll all 6 place value dice. Record your number in expanded form and standard form.
Use a paperclip to spin a place value.
You earn the number equal to the digit in that place. For example, if your number is 345,784 and you spin thousands you would earn 5 points.
If you have a 0 in the place value that is spun, you earn 20 points. (Because 0 is the Hero.)
The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Expanded Form Worksheets

Day 1: To wrap it all up and make sure students understand the first part of the expanded form numbers lessons, have them complete a worksheet using numbers up to 1,000 so you can assess their learning and look for gaps that might need to be retaught or corrected.

Day 2: Finish it all up with a worksheet that lets students practice composing and decomposing numbers using expanded form. This final worksheet should include numbers through the hundred thousands place. Again, look for misconceptions and offer intervention as needed.

Make It Easy with Done-For-You Lesson Plans

Want to save time and prep? Grab these complete, classroom-ready resources:

Expanded Form Numbers up to 1,000
👉 Download on Teachers Pay Teachers

Expanded Form Numbers Through the Hundred Thousands Place
👉 Download on Teachers Pay Teachers

Looking to go deeper and teach a full unit?

Complete 3rd Grade Place Value Unit
👉 Explore it on Curious Classroom

These ready-to-go resources include anchor charts, activities, games, and assessments—everything you need for a high-impact place value unit!

Whether you’re creating your own numbers in expanded form lesson plans or grabbing the done-for-you versions, you’re helping your students master one of the most important math concepts for 3rd grade and many years to come!

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