Decimals

Topic: Decimals

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to define a decimal and identify its place value.
• Students will be able to add and subtract decimals.

Materials

• Whiteboard and markers
• Handout with examples of decimals and calculations (see below)

Warm-up:

• Ask students if they have ever seen or used a decimal before.
• Ask them to provide examples of when they might use a decimal.
• Write their examples on the board.
• Explain that a decimal is a fraction that has a decimal point between the numerator and denominator.

Direct Instruction:

• Introduce the concept of a decimal by saying that it is a way to show fractions as fractions of a whole.
• Show an example of a decimal by writing a fraction with a denominator of 100 and adding a decimal point between the numerator and denominator.
• Ask students to identify the numerator and denominator of the decimal.
• Explain that the numerator of the decimal is the part of the fraction that is above the decimal point, and the denominator of the decimal is the part of the fraction that is below the decimal point.
• Explain that decimals can be written in different ways. For example, 0.5 can also be written as 0.5 or 0.5.

Guided Practice:

• Give students a few examples of fractions and have them write the corresponding decimals.
• As a class, discuss and compare the decimals that students wrote.
• Ask students to identify any patterns in how they wrote the decimals. Examples might include having a denominator of 100, placing the decimal point after the denominator, or writing the numerator as a whole number and the denominator as a fraction.
• Next, give students a list of fractions and have them write the corresponding decimals. As a class, discuss and compare the decimals that students wrote.

Independent Practice:

• Divide students into small groups and give each group a set of fractions to write the corresponding decimals. Encourage students to use the strategies they discussed as a class to help them write the decimals.
• As a group, have each group share their answers with the class and discuss the similarities and differences between the decimals.

Closure

• Review the concept of decimals and their relationship to fractions with the class. Ask students to give examples of decimals and fractions and discuss how they are similar and how they are different.
• Remind students that they can use the strategies they learned today to help them understand and work with decimals.

Assessment

• Observe students during independent practice to see if they are able to use their previous knowledge about decimals and fractions to solve the problems.
• Collect and review the completed worksheets to assess students' understanding of decimals and fractions.
• Have students complete a short assessment where they are asked to identify and name different decimals and fractions. This will allow you to assess their understanding of the concepts and their ability to apply them in a new context.