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The Place Value Blocks Question block creates interactive drag-and-drop activities where learners use base-10 blocks (MAB blocks) to build numbers. Learners drag thousands cubes, hundreds flats, tens rods, and ones units into target groups to reach a specified value.
Learners drag blocks from a supply area into one or more groups, each with a target value to match.

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When to use Place Value Blocks Questions

Place Value Blocks Questions work well for:
  • Building numbers from their place value components
  • Representing a number using base-10 blocks
  • Decomposing numbers into different combinations of blocks
  • Practicing regrouping and trading between place values
  • Partitioning numbers in multiple ways

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Settings

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Available blocks

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slider
default:"0"
The number of thousands cubes available for learners to drag (0 to 9).
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slider
default:"2"
The number of hundreds flats available (0 to 9).
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slider
default:"4"
The number of tens rods available (0 to 20).
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slider
default:"6"
The number of ones units available (0 to 100).

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Groups

Set up one or more target groups, each with a label and a target value. Learners must drag the right combination of blocks into each group to match its target value.

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Display settings

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select
default:"Blocks"
The visual style of the blocks:
  • Blocks: Realistic base-10 block representations
  • Minimal: Simplified, icon-style representation
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switch
default:"true"
When enabled, displays place value labels beneath each block type.
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select
default:"Horizontal"
How the place value columns are arranged:
  • Horizontal: Columns side by side
  • Grouped: Columns grouped together
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select
default:"Medium"
The display size of the blocks:
  • Small: Compact display
  • Medium: Standard display
  • Large: Larger display for projection or emphasis

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Visibility and color settings

You can show or hide each place value column (thousands, hundreds, tens, ones) and customize the color of each block type.

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Answer and marking

The question is marked correct when learners have placed the right combination of blocks in each group to match the target value. Multiple correct arrangements may be possible.

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Response settings

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select
default:"Correct"
Determines when the question is considered complete:
  • Correct: The learner must answer correctly to proceed.
  • Answered: Any response is accepted; correctness isn’t required.
  • Optional: The learner can skip the question entirely.
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slider
default:"0"
The number of attempts the learner can make before the question is locked (0–3). Set to 0 for unlimited attempts.
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slider
default:"5"
The experience points awarded for answering the question correctly (0–10).

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Tips for teachers and parents

Best practices:
  • Start with a single group and simple numbers (tens and ones only)
  • Add multiple groups for partitioning activities (e.g., “Show 246 in two different ways”)
  • Provide extra blocks so learners must choose carefully
  • Hide the thousands column when working with smaller numbers
  • Use consistent colors so learners build associations between color and place value
  • Pair with a Place Value Blocks display block to model the concept before the question