Second Grade Base 10 Counting and SeeSaw

Students will:

• Be able to use the Number Pieces App to show their understanding of grouping 10’s and 1’s with base 10 blocks.

Vocabulary Words:

1. Base 10 Blocks: Base 10 Blocks are rods and single blocks that break down numbers into 10’s and 1’s.

To prepare for this lesson:

• Before the lesson, teachers must set up SeeSaw accounts for their classes and invite parents to join.

  • Please view the TEACHER video on using SeeSaw in the classroom. 

• Students should also know the basic features of SeeSaw.

  • Please view the following videos to decide how your students will access SeeSaw. Students can access it with email, a class code, or a QR code. 

    •  Student sign-in using email

    • Get Students Started on Seesaw: Sign in with a code

• Here is a student video on how to use SeeSaw. 

• The SeeSaw app needs to be downloaded on student devices or bookmarked on computers. 

• For this task, students need the Number Pieces app. It is available on all devices as an iOS app or website. 

  • Watch the video tutorial on the Number Pieces app.

  • The teacher needs three dice per partnership. The students will use the dice to come up with the number they will create (bonus if the dice have numbers up to nine).

Note: SeeSaw has many other tutorials on their website and Help Center.

See the Accommodations Page and Charts on the 21things4students website in the Teacher Resources. 

Directions for this activity:

1. The teacher reviews how to make numbers with base 10 blocks. The teacher can reflect their iPad to show the Number Pieces App.

2. The teacher models how to make a number by first rolling the dice. For example, if the teacher rolls a 4, 5 and 2, she would show 4 hundreds, 5 tens, and 2 ones.
   

3. Students then open the app on their iPads, or website on their Chromebooks and PCs.

4. The teacher hands out dice to each partnership and has them make the number with the Pieces app.

5. After checking in with students as they practice multiple numbers, the teacher instructs students to take a screenshot of one of their numbers. They will add that picture to SeeSaw and record what they did to make that number.

6. Students open the SeeSaw app and press the “+” sign, then select the camera roll icon to select their screenshot.

7. Next, students select the draw tool to label their picture.

8. After labeling their picture, students tap the microphone and explain their thinking.

9. When finished, students, select the green check to add it to their journal.

Note: Here is a photo of the steps to add and explain a photo in SeeSaw:

Different options for assessing the students:

• Observations
• Check for understanding
• Teachers can see what students have posted to their journal from the Teacher side of SeeSaw. They are able to leave feedback for students and intervene with any students who does not get the counting concept.