Lesson Plan
Decimal Dash!
Students will be able to represent decimals to the hundredths place using visual models and write the corresponding decimal and fraction.
Understanding decimals is crucial for real-world applications like money, measurements, and data. This lesson provides a hands-on approach to build a strong foundation, preventing future misconceptions.
Audience
4th Grade Students (Individual Support)
Time
15 minutes
Approach
Individualized, hands-on activity with visual models.
Materials
Decimal Dash Slide Deck, Decimal Dash Activity, Decimal Dash Answer Key, Base ten blocks (flats, rods, units), Decimal grids (hundredths grids), and Pencils
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
- Review the Decimal Dash Lesson Plan and all linked materials: Decimal Dash Slide Deck, Decimal Dash Activity, and Decimal Dash Answer Key.
- Gather base ten blocks (flats, rods, units) and decimal grids (hundredths grids).
- Ensure a writing utensil is available for the student.
Step 1
Introduction & Warm-Up (2 minutes)
2 minutes
- Display the first slide of the Decimal Dash Slide Deck.
- Teacher Script: "Welcome to Decimal Dash! Today, we're going to explore decimals, specifically how to show numbers like 0.25 or 0.70. Can anyone remind me what a decimal represents?"
- Review place value (ones, tenths, hundredths) briefly, using a flat base ten block to represent one whole, rods for tenths, and units for hundredths.
Step 2
Modeling Decimals (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Display the second slide of the Decimal Dash Slide Deck.
- Teacher Script: "Let's start by looking at 0.30. How would we show this using our base ten blocks and on a hundredths grid?"
- Guide the student to use three rods to represent 0.30 and shade three columns on a hundredths grid.
- Repeat with another example like 0.05, using five unit blocks and shading five small squares on the grid.
- Introduce the idea of writing decimals as fractions (e.g., 0.30 as 30/100, 0.05 as 5/100).
Step 3
Decimal Dash Activity (6 minutes)
6 minutes
- Distribute the Decimal Dash Activity worksheet.
- Display the third slide of the Decimal Dash Slide Deck.
- Teacher Script: "Now it's your turn for a Decimal Dash! For each problem on the worksheet, I want you to first build the decimal using your base ten blocks, then shade the hundredths grid, and finally, write the decimal and the fraction. We'll work through the first one together."
- Guide the student through the first problem, ensuring they understand all steps.
- Provide individual support and feedback as the student completes the activity.
- Encourage the student to explain their reasoning as they work.
Step 4
Wrap-Up & Review (2 minutes)
2 minutes
- Display the fourth slide of the Decimal Dash Slide Deck.
- Quickly review one or two of the problems from the Decimal Dash Activity using the Decimal Dash Answer Key.
- Teacher Script: "Great work today! We practiced representing decimals to the hundredths using blocks and grids. Why do you think it's helpful to see decimals in different ways?"
- Reinforce the connection between decimals, fractions, and visual models.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Welcome to Decimal Dash!
What are decimals?
- Numbers that represent parts of a whole
- Think about money! (e.g., $0.50, $0.25)
- Think about measurements! (e.g., 1.5 meters)
Today's Goal:
- Represent decimals to the hundredths place using visual models and fractions!
Welcome the student and introduce the concept of decimals as parts of a whole. Connect to prior knowledge.
Modeling Decimals to the Hundredths
Let's Explore!
- 0.30 (Thirty Hundredths)
- How many tenths? How many hundredths?
- Show with base ten blocks
- Shade on a hundredths grid
- 0.05 (Five Hundredths)
- How many tenths? How many hundredths?
- Show with base ten blocks
- Shade on a hundredths grid
Remember: Decimals are Fractions!
Guide the student through modeling 0.30 and 0.05 using base ten blocks and shading grids. Emphasize the connection between the visual and the numerical representation.
Your Decimal Dash Challenge!
For each problem:
- Build It! Use your base ten blocks to show the decimal.
- Draw It! Shade the hundredths grid to represent the decimal.
- Write It! Write the decimal and the fraction it represents.
Let's do the first one together!
Explain the activity and guide the student through the first problem on the worksheet. Circulate and provide individualized support.
Decimal Dash: Wrap-Up!
Great Job!
- We represented decimals using blocks and grids.
- We wrote decimals as fractions.
Quick Review:
- What is 0.45 as a fraction?
- How would you show 0.10 with blocks?
Why is this important?
- Understanding money, measurements, and more!
Review one or two problems from the activity. Ask the student to explain their reasoning. Reiterate the importance of understanding decimals in everyday life.
Worksheet
Decimal Dash Activity
Name: _____________________________
Instructions: For each decimal, complete the following steps:
- Build It! (Mentally or with physical base ten blocks)
- Draw It! Shade the hundredths grid to represent the decimal.
- Write It! Write the decimal and the fraction it represents.
Problem 1: 0.25
Draw It! (Shade the grid below)
Write It!
Decimal:
Fraction:
Problem 2: 0.70
Draw It! (Shade the grid below)
Write It!
Decimal:
Fraction:
Problem 3: 0.08
Draw It! (Shade the grid below)
Write It!
Decimal:
Fraction:
Problem 4: 0.40
Draw It! (Shade the grid below)
Write It!
Decimal:
Fraction:
Problem 5: 0.99
Draw It! (Shade the grid below)
Write It!
Decimal:
Fraction:
Answer Key
Decimal Dash Answer Key
Problem 1: 0.25
Draw It! (Shade the grid below)
- Shade 2 full columns (representing 2 tenths or 20 hundredths) and an additional 5 small squares in the next column.
| X | X | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | X | ||||||||
| X | X | ||||||||
| X | X | ||||||||
| X | X | ||||||||
| X | X | X | |||||||
| X | X | X | |||||||
| X | X | X | |||||||
| X | X | X | |||||||
| X | X | X |
Write It!
Decimal: 0.25
Fraction: 25/100
Problem 2: 0.70
Draw It! (Shade the grid below)
- Shade 7 full columns (representing 7 tenths or 70 hundredths).
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
Write It!
Decimal: 0.70
Fraction: 70/100
Problem 3: 0.08
Draw It! (Shade the grid below)
- Shade 8 small squares in the first column.
| X | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | |||||||||
| X | |||||||||
| X | |||||||||
| X | |||||||||
| X | |||||||||
| X | |||||||||
| X | |||||||||
Write It!
Decimal: 0.08
Fraction: 8/100
Problem 4: 0.40
Draw It! (Shade the grid below)
- Shade 4 full columns (representing 4 tenths or 40 hundredths).
| X | X | X | X | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | X | X | X | ||||||
| X | X | X | X | ||||||
| X | X | X | X | ||||||
| X | X | X | X | ||||||
| X | X | X | X | ||||||
| X | X | X | X | ||||||
| X | X | X | X | ||||||
| X | X | X | X | ||||||
| X | X | X | X |
Write It!
Decimal: 0.40
Fraction: 40/100
Problem 5: 0.99
Draw It! (Shade the grid below)
- Shade 9 full columns and 9 small squares in the tenth column.
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
Write It!
Decimal: 0.99
Fraction: 99/100