Base Ten Blocks for the Digital Age

How I Use It

Number Pieces Basic by Math Learning Center is a free app provided to be used in conjunction with their curriculum, Bridges 2. However, it's a great app for use with any math program, since the use of base ten blocks is ubiquitous in early elementary mathematics programs. Number Pieces Basic is a simplified version of MLC's Number Pieces app. It is simply base ten blocks with ones (units), tens (rods), and hundreds (flats). Base ten blocks are used to model numbers and are immensely useful in demonstrating place value, addition and subtraction with and without regrouping, and multiple addition. Since these are key mathematical understandings for students, base ten blocks are invaluable, and having tablets with the Number Pieces Basic app is a good substitute for the real thing. It is especially helpful for students to use at home. Although drawing representations of base ten blocks is a great way to show student understanding, opportunities for clerical error exist, so the app is great as an easy way to check work. In class, I would not recommend that the Number Pieces Basic app be used solely as a substitute for actual base ten blocks. Students in my class have used the app at centers where they are solving math problems independently, but they used the actual blocks during guided and small group instruction.