Building Number Towers: A Pre-K Art Project on Place Value

Place Value | Project Based Learning

Pre-K Art Place Value Project Based Learning Challenging Professional 17 Views

Professional Lesson Plan

Building Number Towers: A Pre-K Art Project on Place Value

Place Value | Project Based Learning

GradePre-K

SubjectArt

TopicPlace Value

Duration120 Minutes

Lesson TypeProject Based Learning

DifficultyChallenging

Lesson Overview

Students will explore early place value ideas by creating colorful number towers with art materials. Through hands-on building, counting, sorting, and comparing, children will represent groups of 10 and ones in a creative project-based learning activity.

Learning Objectives

Count objects to 10 and beyond with support.
Recognize that a group of 10 is a special set.
Use art materials to build and label simple number towers.
Sort and combine small groups to make larger groups.
Explain their artwork using simple math language.

Materials Needed

Large construction paper or cardstock
Paper strips or linking cubes
Glue sticks
Crayons or markers
10-frame mats
Pom-poms, buttons, stickers, or foam shapes
Number cards 1-20
Scissors
Math journals or drawing paper
Tape or stapler for display

Vocabulary

Term	Definition
count	Say numbers in order while pointing to objects.
group	A set of things together.
ten	The number after nine; a special group size in math.
ones	Single objects or pieces.
place value	How numbers are made by groups and single ones.
tower	A tall structure we build, used here to show numbers.

Lesson Sequence

Hook and Introduce15 minutes

Teacher Actions

Show a picture of tall towers and connect them to numbers. Model making a tower with 10 blocks and ask, 'How many are in this group?'

Student Actions

Observe, answer questions, count aloud, and repeat the word 'ten'.

Mini-Lesson15 minutes

Teacher Actions

Use a 10-frame and count 10 objects into it. Then add 1-3 more objects and explain that numbers can be made of a group of ten and some ones.

Student Actions

Touch, count, and join in saying 'ten and ones' with support.

Project Planning15 minutes

Teacher Actions

Show a sample art tower made from strips, shapes, or stickers. Explain that each child will build one tower showing a number using groups of 10 and extra ones.

Student Actions

Choose materials and plan what number tower they will make.

Build and Create40 minutes

Teacher Actions

Guide students as they glue, count, and arrange materials. Prompt with questions like, 'Can you make one group of ten?' and 'How many ones do you have left?'

Student Actions

Construct their towers, count materials, and decorate their work.

Partner Share and Label20 minutes

Teacher Actions

Invite children to place a number card on their work and practice saying what their tower shows.

Student Actions

Share their tower with a partner or small group using simple sentences such as 'I made 10 and 2 more.'

Gallery Walk and Reflection15 minutes

Teacher Actions

Lead a quick gallery walk. Highlight examples of towers showing a group of ten and extra ones.

Student Actions

Walk around, notice classmates' art, and clap for ideas they like.

Support

Provide pre-counted sets of 10 for students who need help.
Use a 10-frame model at each table.
Allow students to build with larger, easier-to-handle materials.
Offer one-on-one counting support and sentence stems such as 'I have 10 and __ more.'
Let students focus on one number within 10 if ready for a simpler task.

Challenge

Invite advanced students to make towers with 10 and more ones up to 20.
Ask students to compare two towers and say which has more.
Challenge students to label their work with the matching numeral and draw the same number in a math journal.
Encourage students to explain how they know a group has 10.

Checks for Understanding

Can the student count a group of 10 with support?
Can the student tell when a tower has a group of 10?
Can the student add extra ones to the group?
Can the student use simple math language to describe the artwork?

Closure

Gather students and review: 'A group of 10 is special, and numbers can have 10 and some ones.' Celebrate the towers and ask each child to show one thing they learned.

Assessment

Teacher observes student counting, grouping, and verbal explanations during the build, share, and reflection stages. Collect completed towers or photos as evidence of understanding place value at a Pre-K level.