Students practice adding on the worksheet titled "Place Value Addition: Number Puzzles With Four Addends," but they do it by adding place values instead of numbers in a puzzle.

Each puzzle is contained within a square where the answer is written in the middle, and four addends are written in the blanks on each side of the square. Each one is labeled as "ones" or "tens," so students have to figure out what each of the numbers represents before adding them together to get the answer. For example, instead of adding 7 + 70 + 90 + 10, they must add 7 ones + 7 tens + 9 tens + 1 ten.

Each worksheet includes an example of three boxes so students can see how to do it. Then, the first box in the puzzle is filled in with the answer to get them started.

Students are better able to understand the way numbers work by learning place value. It also builds a foundation for mental math and greater problem-solving abilities for more complex problems in the future.

There are many ways to practice place value. Using base ten blocks is a great way for very young students to begin to understand the concept of place value. Young students can break down numbers into addition problems, like 23 = 20 + 3. As students get practice, they can try place value puzzles.

Literal puzzles with pieces that fit together are an option, as are number puzzles. For example, students might be asked to add all the place value digits on the sides of a square to get the answer in the middle. Students can fill in the missing numbers in a crossword-style puzzle or create pyramids. The highest place value is on the bottom, with the lower place values listed above ending with the ones placed at the very top.