What does the zero in 0.04 do?
Keep tenths and hundredths in their places. Use a place-value chart to distinguish 0.4, 0.04 and 0.004.
Make sense of decimals, one idea at a time.
Start with a question a learner might ask. Use a model to explain it, practise with feedback and keep separate student pages and teacher responses.
Why are 0.6 and 0.60 equal?
Repartition tenths into hundredths without changing the whole or the shaded amount.
Compare decimals when their lengths differ
Compare the first different place instead of treating the digits after the point as a whole number.
Read the scale before naming a decimal point
Find the value of one interval from the labelled endpoints, then count the travelled intervals.
Round decimals by finding the nearest endpoint
Use two neighbouring tenths and their midpoint to explain rounding, including values close to the next whole.
Add decimals by matching their units
Align ones with ones and tenths with tenths, then regroup a complete set of ten hundredths.
Regroup a tenth when subtracting hundredths
Exchange one tenth for ten hundredths while preserving the value of the starting amount.
Why multiplying by ten changes each place value
Track what happens to each digit’s value instead of appending a zero to a decimal.
Divide by ten without losing a placeholder
Make each place-value unit one tenth as large and keep any empty places needed to record it.
Why can a decimal product be smaller?
Interpret multiplying by a decimal below one as taking only part of the other factor.
Why can dividing a decimal give a larger number?
Count how many small measured groups fit in an amount, and name the unit of the quotient.
Choose the denominator when turning a decimal into a fraction
Use the last named place to choose tenths or hundredths, and check that the fraction keeps the same value.
Need a classroom sequence? Try a short intervention, a substitute lesson or a partner model station.