Comparing Decimals

Matholia educational maths video on comparing decimals using a place value chart.

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Decimals are introduced in grade 4. Students have had some experiences with decimal numbers before this point, but usually only with money. Decimals are taught as extensions of all of the previous work with place value in whole numbers. Decimal numbers are also developed from the foundational work done with fractions. This topic focuses on place value in decimals and revisiting the four operations with decimal numbers.

Suggested Teaching Sequence

1. Begin with tenths first. Draw models of tenths, build models of tenths using decimal place value discs and mats.

2. Model decimal numbers with base 10 blocks, using the “1” block as 0.001.

3. Building numbers to thousandths with decimal place value discs on a place value mat.

4. Changing numbers (.1 more/less, .01 more/less .001 more/less) using the discs and mats.

5. Exploring expanded form of numbers to .999 using other models of numbers such as number strips and shape models.

6. Work with expanded form, word form and number form of 3-digit decimal numbers.

7. Deepening the meaning of place value as “the place of a digit determines its value.”

8. Determining the value of digits in multi-digit numbers.

9. Writing numerals for numbers to thousandths.

10. Sequencing numbers to thousandths.

11. Comparing numbers to thousandths.

12. Counting by tenths, hundredths and thousandths.

13. Converting tenths into compound numbers of wholes and tenths.

14. Measurement of length and mass using decimal numbers.

15. Rounding numbers to the nearest tenth or hundredth.

16. Reviewing addition/subtraction procedures now using decimal numbers.

17. Reviewing multiplication/division procedures now using decimal numbers.