UNIT PREPARATION

Display the Math Practices page where all students can see it.

Gather centimeter rulers for each student (or prepare the Centimeter and Inch Ruler Master).

Gather non-stretchy cord or string to be cut into and used as a meter benchmark.

Gather about 2 metersticks per small group.

Gather and organize base-ten pieces (packs, flats, skinnies, and bits).

Gather several inclines made of wood or metal and at least 50 cm long. (See Lesson 5.)

Gather several toy cars or roller skates. (See Lesson 5.)

Gather flats and packs or several books of the same type. (See Lesson 5.)

Gather sets of fraction circle pieces.

Students will need the following tools readily available for the Daily Practice and Problems items in this unit:

LESSON SESSIONS DESCRIPTION SUPPLIES

LESSON 1

m, dm, cm, mm

 2 Students measure objects in the classroom to the nearest meter, decimeter, centimeter, and millimeter. They use decimal notation to record measurements through hundredths of a meter.
  • metersticks
  • base-ten pieces (skinnies and bits)
  • string
  • centimeter rulers
  • scissors
  • masking tape

LESSON 2

Tenths

 2–3 Students work with base-ten pieces and metersticks to build their understanding of tenths. They represent tenths both as common fractions and as decimal fractions.
  • base-ten pieces
  • metersticks
  • base-ten pieces for display

LESSON 3

Many Ways to Show a Decimal

 1–2 In Part 1, the class describes parts of a group of ten students using decimals as they play Kid Decimals. In Part 2, students represent decimal fractions using fraction circle pieces and connect the decimals to common fractions. In Part 3, students represent decimal fractions in five different ways using decimals, common fractions, words, drawings, and number lines.
  • fraction circle pieces: red, pink, green, purple
  • display set of fraction circle pieces

LESSON 4

Hundredths

 2–4 Students use various representations to develop their understanding of decimals through hundredths. They build on their previous experiences with base-ten pieces, number lines, metersticks, and money. Students also explore a Hundredths Chart. They play a game to practice naming and representing hundredths.
  • 100–300 pennies, centimeter connecting cubes, or other counters
  • base-ten pieces
  • metersticks
  • a ball or car

LESSON 5

Downhill Racer

 3–4 Students roll cars down ramps to investigate the relationship between the height of the ramp and the distance a car travels after it has left the ramp. This lab provides a context for students to use decimals and to measure length in meters.
  • ramps
  • toy cars or skates
  • metersticks
  • blocks or books of equal size
  • masking tape
  • calculators
  • centimeter rulers

LESSON 6

Workshop: Decimal Concepts

 1 Students play a game that provides practice with comparing decimals. Based on their progress developing decimal concepts, students practice representing, comparing, and ordering decimals.
  • game markers
  • clear plastic spinners or pencils and paper clips
  • base-ten pieces
  • fraction circle pieces
  • display set of base-ten pieces and fraction circle pieces

LESSON 7

Decimal Hoppers

 2 Students explore addition and subtraction of decimals using decimal hoppers, a type of number hopper that incorporates decimal fractions. Students play a game involving decimal hoppers to build strategies for composing, decomposing, adding, and subtracting decimals. Using the number line model, mental math, and estimation strategies, students solve problems involving addition and subtraction of decimals to the hundredths.
  • paper clips

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