Zearn Math Grade 4, Mission 1: Place Value, Addition, and Subtraction
In this unit, your child works with whole numbers up to a million: seeing each place as ten times the one to its right; reading, writing, comparing, and rounding numbers; and adding and subtracting in columns. They use rounding to estimate and to check multistep word problems. Next comes converting metric units, which leans on this place-value thinking.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Mission 1?
- Using place-value charts to show that 10 hundreds make 1 thousand and 10 thousands make 1 ten thousand. Learn more: Why each place is worth ten times the next
- Writing large numbers in digits, words, and expanded form, and comparing two numbers by the greatest place where they differ. Learn more about reading and writing numbers up to a million: Reading and writing numbers up to a million · Learn more about comparing numbers up to a million
- Rounding multidigit numbers to any place, such as 6,812 to 7,000 or to 6,800, and using rounding to estimate. Learn more: Rounding big numbers to any place
- Adding and subtracting numbers up to a million in columns, regrouping as needed and checking with an estimate. Learn more about adding numbers up to a million: Adding numbers up to a million · Learn more about subtracting numbers up to a million
- Solving multistep addition and subtraction word problems, using rounded numbers to judge whether an answer is reasonable. Learn more: Multi-step story problems and leftovers
Sample questions to try together
These are real questions from our practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
Compare 40 thousands and 4 ten thousands. Which is true?
- 4 ten thousands is more
- They are equal
- 40 thousands is more
How you can help
- Round prices at the store: before checkout, ask your child to round each item to the nearest dollar and estimate the total, then compare it with the receipt.
- Find the distance between two cities on a map, round it to the nearest hundred and to the nearest thousand, and talk about which digit decided each one.
- Make up a two-step story, such as a school of 1,245 students where 368 leave early and 150 visitors arrive, and ask how many people are there now.
Where kids can get stuck
- Looking at the wrong digit when rounding, so 6,812 to the nearest thousand comes out as 6,000 instead of 7,000.
- Getting stuck when rounding makes a carry, writing 3,962 to the nearest hundred as 3,1000 instead of 4,000.
- Stopping after one step, so a two-step problem gets only the answer to its first part.
Practice makes perfect
Bobby's Math Club has practice problems that adapt to your child’s level, each with a detailed explanation and an easy-to-follow video, so your child can build confidence in these skills one step at a time.
Words your child will hear
- place value
- The value a digit has because of where it sits in a number.
- digit
- Any one of the ten symbols 0 through 9 that we use to write numbers.
- expanded form
- A number written as the sum of what each digit is worth, like 4,000 + 300 + 20 + 5.
- round
- To change a number to a nearby, easier number, such as 6,812 to 7,000.
- estimate
- A close guess found with rounded numbers, used to check whether an answer makes sense.
- regroup
- To trade 10 of one place for 1 of the next, like 10 ones for 1 ten.
- multistep
- Needing more than one calculation to reach the answer.
- reasonable
- Making sense for the problem and close to an estimate.
Want to help your child master place value and rounding?
In Bobby's Math Club, your child practices these skills at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free.
Join the club
Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
Which math standards does Zearn Math Grade 4 Mission 1 cover?
Zearn Math Grade 4 Mission 1 covers these math standards. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
- 4.NBT.A.1: Know that each place is worth 10 times the place to its right.
- 4.NBT.A.2: Read, write, and compare numbers up to a million.
- 4.NBT.A.3: Round large numbers to any place, like 6,812 to 7,000.
- 4.NBT.B.4: Fluently add and subtract numbers up to a million.
- 4.OA.A.3: Solve word problems with several steps, including ones with remainders.
For teachers: Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence. Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow.