Decimal Place Value

Overview

This 60-minute lesson is Lesson 4 of 10 in the unit "Mastering Place Value". It introduces grade 6 students to decimal place value concepts focusing on tenths, hundredths, and thousandths, helping them identify, write, and compare decimal numbers with confidence. This lesson aligns with the Alberta Program of Studies for Mathematics, specifically addressing Number Strand outcomes related to decimal understanding and number sense for Grade 6.

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Alberta Curriculum Alignment

Program of Studies Reference:

• Number outcomes (Grade 6):
  • 6NS1: Demonstrate an understanding of fractions and decimals; represent and describe parts of a whole, parts of a set, and relate fractions to decimals.
  • 6NS2: Compare and order whole numbers, decimals, and fractions.
  • 6NS3: Use place value knowledge to read, write, compare, and order whole numbers and decimal numbers to thousandths.

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Learning Objectives (I can statements)

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• I can recognise tenths, hundredths, and thousandths in decimal numbers.
• I can write decimal numbers using place value knowledge.
• I can compare and order decimal numbers to the thousandths place.

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Success Criteria

Students will demonstrate success when they can:

• Read decimal numbers aloud accurately, identifying each digit's place value.
• Write decimals correctly with appropriate decimal points and digits.
• Use comparison symbols (<, >, =) correctly to order decimal numbers.
• Explain their thinking using place value vocabulary (e.g., "0.452 has 4 tenths, 5 hundredths, and 2 thousandths").

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Resources and Materials

• Place value mats (with tenths, hundredths, thousandths columns)
• Decimal place value charts (large poster for teacher, personal mini-charts for students)
• Base-ten blocks or decimal grids for hands-on activities
• Whiteboards and markers for students
• Worksheets for practice (with dyslexia-friendly fonts such as OpenDyslexic or Comic Sans)
• Comparison symbol cards (<, >, =)
• Technology: Interactive decimal games on the classroom tablets or laptop (optional)

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Begin with a quick warm-up revisiting whole number place values from previous lessons.
• Introduce the decimal point as a 'special dot' separating whole from parts of a whole.
• Display the decimal place value chart and explain tenths, hundredths, and thousandths places with clear visuals.
• Use a place value mat and base-ten blocks or grids to model decimal values concretely (e.g., 0.3 = 3 tenths).

Teaching Tip: Use large, dyslexia-friendly fonts on visuals and label vocal instructions clearly and slowly. Use multi-sensory cues (pointing, colour coding).

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2. Guided Practice (15 minutes)

• Call out decimal numbers and have students show the digit at a particular place (e.g., “What digit is in the hundredths place in 0.274?”).
• Students practice writing decimals correctly on whiteboards.
• Play ‘Decimal Place Value Bingo’: teacher calls out place values and decimals; students identify or mark accordingly.
• Model comparing decimals step-by-step using place value charts and symbols.

Differentiation:

• Struggling learners get partner support and simplified decimal numbers (e.g., tenths only).
• Provide sentence starters for comparisons ("The number with ___ tenths is greater because...").

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3. Independent Practice (20 minutes)

• Worksheet with three sections:

  1. Identifying digits in decimal numbers (e.g., Write the digit in the tenths place for 0.538).
  2. Writing decimals based on place value descriptions (e.g., Write a decimal with 4 tenths and 6 hundredths).
  3. Comparing and ordering decimals using <, >, =.

• Peer review: students swap worksheets and give feedback based on success criteria.

Extension for advanced learners:

• Create own decimal numbers for a partner to compare, incorporating decimals up to thousandths.
• Explore decimals beyond thousandths (e.g., ten-thousandths) as a challenge.

Dyslexia-friendly support:

• Worksheets use high-contrast colours and clear spacing.
• Instructions provided verbally and visually.

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4. Wrap-Up and Reflection (10 minutes)

• Students share a “decimal discovery” from the lesson (verbally or in writing).
• Use an exit ticket: identify the digit in a given decimal place or compare two decimal numbers.
• Highlight how place value impacts the size of the number and the importance of correctly reading decimals.

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Assessment and Monitoring

• Informal formative assessment through questioning and observation during guided practice.
• Review independent work and exit tickets to check understanding of key concepts.
• Use success criteria checklist for each student to monitor progress for future lessons.

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Differentiation Strategies

Learner Need	Strategy
Visual learners	Use charts, colour-coded place-value mats, and decimal grids.
Students with dyslexia	Dyslexia-friendly fonts, verbal instructions, coloured overlays.
English Language Learners	Use gestures, sentence frames, and peer support.
Struggling learners	Provide extra scaffolding with simplified decimals and manipulatives.
Advanced learners	Challenge with extending concepts and creating own decimal sequences.

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Homework / Extension

• Create a decimal number poster: Write a decimal number with at least 3 decimal places, draw a place value chart to label each digit, explain why the number is bigger or smaller than another decimal.
• Optional online decimal games focusing on place value and comparing decimals.

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This lesson is designed to engage, support, and challenge diverse learners while strictly adhering to Alberta's Mathematics curriculum outcomes, building solid foundational understanding of decimal place value for grade 6 students.