Numbers Beyond 10 000 Animals: Place Value Worksheets is a curriculum-aligned, research-based activity designed to build your students' understanding of large numbers through real-world contexts. With a captivating animal theme, this resource gives students the opportunity to explore numerical data in a meaningful and engaging way while strengthening their place value knowledge.

Students will explore a range of fascinating animal facts that all include numbers larger than 10 000. These facts may relate to animal populations, habitat areas, migration distances, lifespans, or sizes, depending on the version used. After reading each fact, students are required to extract the number, record it in both standard and word form, and represent it using a place value grid. This provides a strong link between literacy, numeracy, and scientific inquiry – perfect for cross-curricular learning experiences.

This resource includes three differentiated worksheet versions to support learners at various stages of place value understanding. The first version includes numbers between 10 000 and 99 999 – an excellent starting point for students beginning to explore five-digit numbers. The second version introduces six-digit numbers (100 000 to 999 999), while the third extends to numbers in the millions (up to 99 999 999), offering a challenge for more advanced learners. Use them sequentially or provide differentiated tasks across ability levels in your classroom.

Key Learning Outcomes

• ✅ Identify and interpret large numbers in real-world animal contexts
• ✅ Record numbers in standard and written word form
• ✅ Represent large numbers using place value grids
• ✅ Strengthen numeracy and research skills simultaneously
• ✅ Engage with integrated learning through literacy, science, and maths

What’s Included

• 3 differentiated worksheet versions with animal-themed facts
• Place value grids on each worksheet for visual number representation
• Answer sheets for teacher reference (answers may vary slightly)
• Optional research prompts for student-led investigation

Materials Needed

• Printed worksheets (choose appropriate level per student)
• Research tools – books, iPads, or internet-enabled devices
• Pencils, highlighters, or coloured pens

How to Use

1. Print and distribute the worksheet version suited to each student’s ability level.
2. Students read each animal fact and identify the large number featured.
3. They write the number in the place value grid provided.
4. Next, they write the same number in word form using correct spelling.
5. Use the completed worksheets for whole-class review, peer checking, or formative assessment.

Ideas for Classroom Use

• 💡 Use in your maths block as part of a place value or large numbers focus
• 💡 Incorporate into science lessons exploring animals, habitats, or biodiversity
• 💡 Assign as a research project for early finishers or homework extension
• 💡 Create a collaborative animal fact display wall using student findings
• 💡 Use worksheets as pre- or post-assessment to track growth in understanding of large numbers

Top Teacher Tips

• 💛 Print on coloured paper to distinguish levels or match classroom themes
• 💛 Pair students to encourage discussion and collaborative number exploration
• 💛 Allow students to find their own animal facts with large numbers for an open-ended research task

This rich and flexible resource supports students in developing a deeper understanding of large numbers through real-world, animal-themed exploration.