MAB blocks are useful because they make place value visible. A student can see that one ten is not just a bigger one, and that one hundred can be unpacked into ten tens.
The Daily Maths Review MAB blocks tool gives teachers a quick screen-based way to build numbers, arrange blocks by place value, regroup ten smaller blocks and unpack larger blocks. It is a modelling tool rather than a scored practice app.
Start with the number, then build it
When students are learning place value, ask them to read the number aloud before building it. Then build the number with thousands, hundreds, tens and ones so the digits connect to visible quantities.
- Build two digit numbers before moving to hundreds and thousands.
- Arrange blocks by place value before writing expanded notation.
- Ask what each digit is worth, not only what digit it is.
- Use the random number option when students are ready for quick examples.
Make regrouping visible
Regrouping is easier to discuss when students can see the trade. Show ten ones becoming one ten, then unpack a ten back into ten ones before connecting the model to the written method.
Build 134, arrange it by place value, unpack one ten into ten ones, then ask students what changed and what stayed the same.
Use mistakes to choose the next model
If students read 305 as thirty-five, rebuild the hundreds, tens and ones columns. If they struggle with subtraction regrouping, unpack a ten or hundred first and say the exchange before writing the calculation.