> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.edzo.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Place Value Blocks Block

> Learn how to use Place Value Blocks to display base-10 block models for teaching place value concepts.

The **Place Value Blocks** block displays base-10 blocks (also known as MAB blocks) showing thousands cubes, hundreds flats, tens rods, and ones units. Use it to visually represent numbers and teach place value concepts.

This is a display block for teaching and demonstration. Learners can view the blocks but aren't assessed on manipulating them.

<Info>
  For assessable activities where learners drag and drop blocks to build numbers, use the [Place Value Blocks Question](/creating/resources/question-blocks/place-value-blocks-question) block instead.
</Info>

## When to use Place Value Blocks

Place Value Blocks work well for:

* Representing numbers visually using base-10 models
* Teaching the value of each digit in a number
* Demonstrating regrouping and trading concepts
* Showing how numbers are composed and decomposed
* Providing a visual reference alongside question content

## Settings

### Block counts

<ParamField path="Thousands blocks" default="0" type="slider">
  The number of thousands cubes to display (0 to 9).
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Hundreds blocks" default="1" type="slider">
  The number of hundreds flats to display (0 to 9).
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Tens blocks" default="2" type="slider">
  The number of tens rods to display (0 to 20).
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Ones blocks" default="3" type="slider">
  The number of ones units to display (0 to 100).
</ParamField>

### Visibility

<ParamField path="Show thousands" default="true" type="switch">
  When enabled, displays the thousands column.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Show hundreds" default="true" type="switch">
  When enabled, displays the hundreds column.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Show tens" default="true" type="switch">
  When enabled, displays the tens column.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Show ones" default="true" type="switch">
  When enabled, displays the ones column.
</ParamField>

### Display settings

<ParamField path="Style" default="Blocks" type="select">
  The visual style of the blocks:

  * **Blocks**: Realistic base-10 block representations
  * **Minimal**: Simplified, icon-style representation
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Show labels" default="true" type="switch">
  When enabled, displays place value labels (Thousands, Hundreds, Tens, Ones) beneath each column.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Layout" default="Horizontal" type="select">
  How the place value columns are arranged:

  * **Horizontal**: Columns side by side
  * **Grouped**: Columns grouped together
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Size" default="Medium" type="select">
  The display size of the blocks:

  * **Small**: Compact display
  * **Medium**: Standard display
  * **Large**: Larger display for projection or emphasis
</ParamField>

### Color settings

You can customize the color of each place value group:

* **Thousands color**: Color for thousands cubes
* **Hundreds color**: Color for hundreds flats
* **Tens color**: Color for tens rods
* **Ones color**: Color for ones units

## Tips for teachers and parents

**Best practices:**

* Hide the thousands column when working with numbers under 1,000
* Use consistent colors to help learners associate each color with a place value
* Start with ones and tens only for younger learners, then add hundreds and thousands
* Turn off labels for activities where learners identify the place values themselves
* Use alongside written numbers to connect the visual model to symbolic representation
* Try the **Minimal** style for a cleaner look when the realistic blocks feel cluttered

## Related blocks

* [Place Value Blocks Question](/creating/resources/question-blocks/place-value-blocks-question): Assessable version where learners drag blocks to build numbers
* [Number Chart](/creating/resources/learning-blocks/number-chart): For number pattern exploration