Instruction:
This Lesson consists of learning about Decimals through the use of Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division. Students will use real life events and be able to practice how decimals work. Students will learn that money and decimals work the same therefore being able to apply their findings to everyday life with money and purchases. Through the use of various activities and handouts the students will create ways that will help them remember how to use and apply decimals in their original way as well as when they are written in word format. The students will also be able to recognize words that will help them identify when a word problem is asking them to add, subtract, multiply or divide. Students will keep a Math journal and folder to help them look back at what they have learned and help if they need to look back for a refresher.
Activities:
Students will create a fold-able on key words for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This guide will give students key words and crucial vocabulary which will help with learning about decimals as well as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems.
The students will be introduced to Decimals my making a fold-able called "All about Decimals". This will give the students step by step on how to work with decimals. Students will be instructed to use the first two pages (see examples below) as their cut out pages to glue on to their foldable. These pages are to be used as references so the student can complete his or her own work knowing what a decimal is as well as seeing examples of standard, written, and expanded form. This activity helps students connect decimals to real life situations as well as observing a visual of what a decimal may look like.
The students will create their final foldable on Decimal examples for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. This will be a graded in class assignment that will help students further understand how decimals work in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. The teacher will provide different problems for each secion of the foldable, which the students will work on and show their work for the teacher to know how the problem was worked on (this helps the teacher know what step a student missed in case the problem was solved wrong). Students will place this final foldable in their Math notebooks as a reference when the student needs a refresher on decimals. The Math notebook also serves as a way for students to know how they have improved or to look back when they need to remember how to work on any math problem.
After the students have learned the steps and vocabulary the students are ready to work on a project called "Grocery Shopping List" this is where the students will put into action what they have learned about decimals. The teacher will have an area of the classroom set with different items and prices listed underneath, the students will not remove the items but will take turns walking up to the "store" to figure out what they need and how much it will cost them. The students will then return to their seats and figure out if they have stayed within budget or have gone over. The students will have the chance to change some items if need be in order to complete their meal as planned. Students will be using their math journals for their planning before transferring everything onto their grocery shopping list worksheet.
Students will also work in groups to practice what they have learned with decimals. Students will be in groups of 2 or 3 depending on the size of the classroom. This scavenger hunt will help students solve problems and find the solution.
- This scavenger hunt is set up as a gallery walk (this is to avoid confusion for students and the walk will be in orderly fashion)
- This is a scavenger hunt that can be used as a review for a test or an enrichment activity. All problems are word problems, and they cover all four operations. There are 12 questions included.
- Post the questions around the room and allow students to choose which one to start with. Once they answer that question, they can find the answer atop another question and proceed to answer all questions. After answering the 12th question, they should arrive back at the beginning!
*For those who struggle and need a little help they can use a place value chart to guide them and help them a line the decimal. (This worksheet may be given to every student if necessary at the beginning of the lesson on learning about decimals but is a good worksheet for ELL students whom are struggling with wording.)
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-Chart-in-Color-530001
- This place value chart has been designed to help students learn and use place value, write in standard form, expanded notation, and in words. It is color coded to clearly identify the place value units. This is perfect for any student and grade level.
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-Chart-in-Color-530001