Students will be able to represent decimals, relate decimals to fractions, and understand place value up to the hundredths, aligning with Math TEK 4.4B.
Understanding decimals is crucial for real-world applications like money, measurements, and data interpretation. This lesson helps students build a strong foundation in these essential math skills through fun and interactive activities.
4th Grade Students
30 minutes
Students will rotate through differentiated station activities.
Whiteboard or Projector, Markers or Pens, Decimal Place Value Chart, Decimal to Fraction Match Cards, Decimal Ordering Race Cards, Decimal Dash Worksheet, and Decimal Dash Answer Key
15 minutes
5 minutes
20 minutes
5 minutes
No credit card needed
Math TEK 4.4B Focus
Where do we see decimals in real life? 🤔
Welcome students and get them ready for a fun math lesson! Ask engaging questions to activate prior knowledge.
Example: $0.50 is half a dollar!
Explain the concept of decimals as parts of a whole, building on fraction knowledge. Use examples.
Station 1: Place Value Chart Challenge
Station 2: Decimal to Fraction Match
Station 3: Decimal Ordering Race
Work together, learn together!
Introduce the station rotation and what students will be doing at each station. Emphasize teamwork and active participation.
Now, let's show what you know!
Complete the Decimal Dash Worksheet.
Bring the class back together. Quickly review the activities and introduce the worksheet.
(Display Decimal Dash Slides - Slide 1: Welcome to Decimal Dash!)
"Good morning, mathematicians! Today, we're going on an exciting 'Decimal Dash' to explore the world of decimals. Before we dive in, I want to hear from you: Where do we see decimals in our daily lives? Think about money, measurements, or anything else you can think of!"
"Great ideas! You're right, decimals are all around us. Today, our mission is to represent decimals, connect them to fractions, and really understand their place value, all the way up to the hundredths. This is a super important skill that aligns with our Math TEK 4.4B."
(Display Decimal Dash Slides - Slide 2: What are Decimals?)
"So, what exactly are decimals? Just like fractions, decimals are a way to show parts of a whole. They use a special little dot called a decimal point to separate the whole numbers from the parts. For example, if you have 50 cents, that's $0.50, which is half of a dollar!"
(Display Decimal Dash Slides - Slide 3: Your Decimal Dash Stations!)
"Alright, it's time for our Decimal Dash Stations! You'll be working in small groups today, rotating through three different stations. We'll spend about 6-7 minutes at each station, and I'll let you know when it's time to switch."
"Here's a quick overview of what you'll be doing at each station:
Station 1: Place Value Chart Challenge - At this station, you'll use our Decimal Place Value Chart to build and show different decimal numbers. I'll give you a decimal, and you'll place it correctly on the chart, telling me the value of each digit.
Station 2: Decimal to Fraction Match - Here, you'll be matching Decimal to Fraction Match Cards! You'll have cards with decimals and cards with fractions, and your job is to find the pairs that represent the same value. Think about how 0.25 is the same as 1/4.
Station 3: Decimal Ordering Race - For this station, you'll have a set of Decimal Ordering Race Cards. Your goal is to work as a team to put the decimals in the correct order, either from least to greatest or greatest to least."
"Remember to work together, help each other out, and discuss your thinking. I'll be circulating to answer questions and see your amazing work! Let's get to our stations!"
(Facilitate station rotations, providing support and guiding questions as needed.)
(Display Decimal Dash Slides - Slide 4: Decimal Dash Wrap-Up)
"Alright, mathematicians, bring it back together! You all did a fantastic job navigating the Decimal Dash Stations. Let's quickly recap what we reinforced today. What are some key things you learned or practiced about decimals?"
"Excellent! We reinforced that decimals represent parts of a whole, they are closely related to fractions, and understanding place value is super important for working with them."
"To help me see what you've learned, I'm going to hand out this Decimal Dash Worksheet. Please complete it independently. When you're finished, you can turn it in. This will help me understand what we might need to review or explore further."
"Great work today, everyone! Keep an eye out for decimals in the world around you!"
Use this chart to help you understand the value of each digit in a decimal number.
| Tens | Ones | . | Tenths | Hundredths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| . | ||||
| . | ||||
| . | ||||
| . |
Instructions:
Instructions:
0.5
0.25
0.75
0.1
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
0.50
0.01
1/2
1/4
3/4
1/10
1/5
2/5
3/5
4/5
50/100
1/100
Instructions:
0.3
0.7
0.1
0.5
0.45
0.05
0.54
0.40
1.2
0.8
1.0
0.95
0.72
0.07
0.27
0.70
2.31
2.13
2.3
2.01
Name: ________________________
Date: ________________________
Draw a model to represent 0.6 (six tenths).
Shade in the grid to represent 0.35 (thirty-five hundredths).
(Imagine a 10x10 grid here for students to shade)
Write the decimal for the fraction: 7/10
Write the fraction for the decimal: 0.8
Write the decimal for the fraction: 45/100
In the number 1.23, what is the value of the digit 2?
In the number 0.79, what is the place value of the digit 9?
Write a decimal number where the digit in the tenths place is 5 and the digit in the hundredths place is 2.
Draw a model to represent 0.6 (six tenths).
Thought Process: 0.6 means 6 out of 10 equal parts. Students should draw a shape divided into 10 equal parts and shade 6 of them. This could be a circle, rectangle, or a set of 10 items.
Shade in the grid to represent 0.35 (thirty-five hundredths).
Thought Process: 0.35 means 35 out of 100 equal parts. If using a 10x10 grid, students should shade in 35 small squares.
Write the decimal for the fraction: 7/10
Thought Process: The fraction 7/10 means seven tenths. In decimal form, this is written as 0.7.
Answer: 0.7
Write the fraction for the decimal: 0.8
Thought Process: The decimal 0.8 means eight tenths. As a fraction, this is 8/10. It can also be simplified to 4/5.
Answer: 8/10 (or 4/5)
Write the decimal for the fraction: 45/100
Thought Process: The fraction 45/100 means forty-five hundredths. In decimal form, this is written as 0.45.
Answer: 0.45
In the number 1.23, what is the value of the digit 2?
Thought Process: The digit 2 is in the first place after the decimal point, which is the tenths place. So, its value is 2 tenths.
Answer: 0.2 (or two tenths)
In the number 0.79, what is the place value of the digit 9?
Thought Process: The digit 9 is in the second place after the decimal point, which is the hundredths place.
Answer: Hundredths
Write a decimal number where the digit in the tenths place is 5 and the digit in the hundredths place is 2.
Thought Process: The tenths place is the first digit after the decimal, and the hundredths place is the second. So, the decimal would be 0.52. Any whole number before the decimal is also acceptable (e.g., 1.52, 10.52).
Answer: 0.52 (or any number like X.52, where X is a whole number)
