Decimals...

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2002 : August : 18

Decimals...
By LindaR

I had to teach decimals to my 4th graders last year. I started out by telling them they already knew decimals, and that they had been seeing and using decimals ever since they discovered money Of course, they can relate
to money.
Don't get rid of your grids, but tie the use of money into them. You and your students will find grid work very helpful later when you "play" with it in the beginning.
Use a newspaper and allow students to explore ways decimals are used, and then have them cut & paste examples. Ads are especially useful. You can then bring the grid work into this activity along with play

money to demonstrate what it symbolizes. After a few times and the kids can then do this in teams: One student places a certain amount of money on the floor, they both determine the amount, write it down, and then each colors in his/her grid to represent the numbers.

It's important to have them use the word "and" when saying the decimal in the money amount as they present their ads. Show them specifically how 352 is NOT 300.52 (students tend to say three hundred and fifty two). In fact, this may be a good way to start...

Hope this helps!