Grid Learning System (GLS) - Puzzle Based Mathematical Reasoning
The Place Value Challenge
A Puzzle-Based Journey through Digit Value, Number Forms &
Powers of Ten
Primary Mathematics | Grades 2-4
Page 1 Protymera
, Grid Learning System (GLS) - Puzzle Based Mathematical Reasoning
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
▸ Recognize and define core place value vocabulary, including digit, position, and the
names of place value columns.
▸ Explain how standard form, expanded form, word form, digit value, and place value all
relate to one another.
▸ Define comparison and rounding vocabulary used with place value, including greater,
lesser, and estimate.
▸ Classify numbers by their greatest place value range - ones, tens, hundreds, or
thousands.
▸ Use elimination reasoning to determine unknown numbers from indirect digit-position
clues.
▸ Recognize the powers-of-ten pattern that underlies the entire base-ten place value
system.
▸ Identify the value of a specific digit based on its position within a number.
HOW TO PLAY - YOUR PUZZLE JOURNEY
This template takes you through seven learning puzzles built around the same topic, each
one built around a different way of thinking - recognizing, connecting, retrieving,
distinguishing, deducing, organizing, and applying - plus a dedicated Bonus Challenge
Page with three tiered challenges.
Every puzzle also includes its own Concept Check - a short reflection question that goes
one step beyond the grid itself.
Every answer is collected together near the end so you (or a parent or teacher) can check
the work.
Page 2 Protymera
, Grid Learning System (GLS) - Puzzle Based Mathematical Reasoning
1 WORD SEARCH - Recognize: Find every key term hidden in the grid.
2 CONCEPT MAP - Connect: Fill in how key terms relate to one another.
3 CROSSWORD - Retrieve: Use the clues to spell out each key term correctly.
4 SORT & CLASSIFY - Distinguish: Place each item into its correct category.
5 LOGIC GRID - Deduce: Use the clues to match each entity correctly.
SEQUENCE & PATTERN - Organize: Put the sequence in order and explain
6
the rule.
CODEBREAKER - Apply: Use the Code Key to answer each question and
7
reveal the hidden message.
BONUS CHALLENGE PAGE - Transfer: Complete three tiered challenges of
8
increasing depth.
Page 3 Protymera
, Grid Learning System (GLS) - Puzzle Based Mathematical Reasoning
PLACE VALUE VOCABULARY UNLOCK - PUZZLE 1 OF 7: WORD SEARCH
Puzzle Focus: This warm-up reinforces the core vocabulary of place value - the names
of each column and how numerals are structured - before you apply these ideas in the
puzzles ahead. Find every item from the bank below - it may run across, down, or
diagonally.
F B I P A J T X O O H D
F A K T G O L U C R U Y
S S S Y C A N T T E N S
G E R B R P W E M X D K
O J N E H D C G S N R F
U N M I L L I O N S E O
S U W D C O L U M N D O
N K W C C Y A P C W S R
H D I G I T A D G Z I O
D A T H O U S A N D S F
X F P O S I T I O N S P
W J H D Q E Q W J H W Y
Page 4 Protymera
The Place Value Challenge
A Puzzle-Based Journey through Digit Value, Number Forms &
Powers of Ten
Primary Mathematics | Grades 2-4
Page 1 Protymera
, Grid Learning System (GLS) - Puzzle Based Mathematical Reasoning
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
▸ Recognize and define core place value vocabulary, including digit, position, and the
names of place value columns.
▸ Explain how standard form, expanded form, word form, digit value, and place value all
relate to one another.
▸ Define comparison and rounding vocabulary used with place value, including greater,
lesser, and estimate.
▸ Classify numbers by their greatest place value range - ones, tens, hundreds, or
thousands.
▸ Use elimination reasoning to determine unknown numbers from indirect digit-position
clues.
▸ Recognize the powers-of-ten pattern that underlies the entire base-ten place value
system.
▸ Identify the value of a specific digit based on its position within a number.
HOW TO PLAY - YOUR PUZZLE JOURNEY
This template takes you through seven learning puzzles built around the same topic, each
one built around a different way of thinking - recognizing, connecting, retrieving,
distinguishing, deducing, organizing, and applying - plus a dedicated Bonus Challenge
Page with three tiered challenges.
Every puzzle also includes its own Concept Check - a short reflection question that goes
one step beyond the grid itself.
Every answer is collected together near the end so you (or a parent or teacher) can check
the work.
Page 2 Protymera
, Grid Learning System (GLS) - Puzzle Based Mathematical Reasoning
1 WORD SEARCH - Recognize: Find every key term hidden in the grid.
2 CONCEPT MAP - Connect: Fill in how key terms relate to one another.
3 CROSSWORD - Retrieve: Use the clues to spell out each key term correctly.
4 SORT & CLASSIFY - Distinguish: Place each item into its correct category.
5 LOGIC GRID - Deduce: Use the clues to match each entity correctly.
SEQUENCE & PATTERN - Organize: Put the sequence in order and explain
6
the rule.
CODEBREAKER - Apply: Use the Code Key to answer each question and
7
reveal the hidden message.
BONUS CHALLENGE PAGE - Transfer: Complete three tiered challenges of
8
increasing depth.
Page 3 Protymera
, Grid Learning System (GLS) - Puzzle Based Mathematical Reasoning
PLACE VALUE VOCABULARY UNLOCK - PUZZLE 1 OF 7: WORD SEARCH
Puzzle Focus: This warm-up reinforces the core vocabulary of place value - the names
of each column and how numerals are structured - before you apply these ideas in the
puzzles ahead. Find every item from the bank below - it may run across, down, or
diagonally.
F B I P A J T X O O H D
F A K T G O L U C R U Y
S S S Y C A N T T E N S
G E R B R P W E M X D K
O J N E H D C G S N R F
U N M I L L I O N S E O
S U W D C O L U M N D O
N K W C C Y A P C W S R
H D I G I T A D G Z I O
D A T H O U S A N D S F
X F P O S I T I O N S P
W J H D Q E Q W J H W Y
Page 4 Protymera
