Decimal Fractions Mastery

Year Group

Year 4 (8-9 years old)

Duration

60 minutes

Class Size

30 students

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National Curriculum Links (England)

Mathematics Program of Study – Number - Fractions (including decimals)

• Year 4 Programme of Study:
  • Recognise and write decimal equivalents of any number of tenths or hundredths (e.g. 0.7, 0.25).
  • Understand and relate decimals to fractions and to money.
  • Read, write, order and compare numbers with up to two decimal places.
  • Solve simple measure and money problems involving decimals to two decimal places.

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Learning Objectives (WALT)

• WALT understand the concept of decimal fractions and how they relate to tenths and hundredths.
• WALT read and write decimals to two decimal places correctly.
• WALT relate decimals to fractions and recognise decimals in the context of money.
• WALT compare and order decimal numbers to two decimal places.

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Success Criteria

I know I have been successful when I can:

• Explain what decimal fractions are, using tenths and hundredths.
• Correctly read decimal numbers such as 0.4 and 0.75 aloud.
• Write decimal numbers from given fractions (for example, 3/10 as 0.3).
• Show how decimals relate to money, identifying amounts with decimals to two places.
• Compare two decimals and decide which is greater or smaller.
• Complete simple problem-solving questions involving money and decimals.

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Resources Needed

• Base ten apparatus (place value counters, decimal place value mats)
• Strips or cards showing fractions and corresponding decimal equivalents
• Decimal money (coins and notes images)
• Whiteboards and markers
• Worksheets with decimal fractions problems
• Dyslexia-friendly worksheets (off-white paper, clear fonts e.g. OpenDyslexic or Comic Sans)
• Visual aids with large, colour-coded decimal points and place value columns
• Number lines from 0 to 1 with decimal increments marked

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Lesson Outline

Time	Activity	Details & Differentiation
0-10 min	Starter: Decimal introduction & place value refresher

• Use place value mats with tens, ones, tenths, hundredths.
• Show 3/10 as 0.3, 7/100 as 0.07 using counters.
• Dyslexia friendly: Show decimal points in bright colour (e.g. red).
• Ask comprehension questions: “What does 0.3 mean?”
• Support: Use tactile counters and peer support for those struggling.
• Extension: Challenge advanced learners to convert 0.75 to fraction and explain conversion. |

| 10-25 min | Main Activity 1: Reading & writing decimals |

• Teacher models reading decimals aloud (e.g. zero point four, zero point seven five).
• Students practice writing decimals from fractions cards and vice versa (e.g. 4/10 → 0.4).
• Use dyslexia-friendly fonts on worksheets with large spacing.
• Support: Provide sentence starters or writing frames for weaker writers (“The decimal for 3/10 is…”).
• Extension: Write decimals including zeros after decimal point (0.40) and explain equivalence. |

| 25-40 min | Main Activity 2: Decimals and money - practical application |

• Using images of coins (£, p) and decimal notes, show how decimals represent money.
• Pupils match decimal amounts to a money value, e.g. £1.25 = 1 pound and 25 pence.
• Role-play shop activity: students use decimal cards to ‘buy’ items.
• Support: Use physical coins for tactile learners.
• Extension: Challenge learners to work out change using decimals to two decimal places. |

| 40-50 min | Main Activity 3: Comparing and ordering decimals |

• Use number lines to place decimals in correct order (e.g. 0.3, 0.25, 0.75).
• Use a “greater than” and “less than” sign game with whiteboards.
• Dyslexia-friendly: Use colour-coded decimal places to highlight hundredths and tenths.
• Support: Provide visual place value chart with decimals and fractions side-by-side.
• Extension: Introduce decimals with three decimal places for the challenge group (e.g. 0.345). |

| 50-60 min | Plenary and Assessment: Quiz & Reflection |

• Quick oral quiz: read and write decimals, convert decimals to fractions, order numbers.
• Exit ticket: One question – “Write the decimal for 7/10 and explain why it is the same as 70/100.”
• Self-assessment against success criteria: Tick what they feel confident about.
• Support: Dictate questions and allow verbal or drawing responses.
• Extension: Challenge learners to write their own word problem involving money and decimals. |

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Differentiation Strategies

• Support for SEN/Dyslexia learners:

  • Use multisensory resources (counters, coins, number lines).
  • Provide clear, concise instruction with step-by-step visuals.
  • Provide printed resources in dyslexia-friendly fonts and colours.
  • Pair work with supportive peers or teaching assistant support.
  • Use sentence starters and word banks.

• Support for EAL learners:

  • Visual aids and concrete objects to link language and concept.
  • Repetition of vocabulary and concepts in simple English.

• Extension for advanced learners:

  • Work with three decimal places.
  • Investigate decimal equivalents of fractions beyond tenths/hundredths (e.g., 1/4 = 0.25).
  • Create money problems involving decimals and percentages.

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Assessment for Learning (AfL)

• Observations during activities – participation and oral responses.
• Whiteboard responses for rapid checking of understanding.
• Completed worksheets with written decimals and conversions.
• Exit ticket quiz to check individual understanding.
• Self-assessment against success criteria.

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Homework Suggestion

• Find examples of decimals on price tags or menus at home. Write three decimal numbers and explain what each means.

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Reflection Notes for Teacher

• Note which students struggle with decimal place value and provide targeted small group support.
• Collect examples of successful peer explanations from extension learners to share in next lesson.
• Review dyslexia-friendly resources’ effectiveness and adapt fonts/colours as necessary.

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This lesson plan not only follows the National Curriculum’s Year 4 expectations on decimals but is designed to cater for a wide range of learners while connecting the abstract concept of decimals to practical examples such as money—a key real-life link aiding understanding. The multisensory, differentiated approach combined with bright, accessible resources will create an engaging, inclusive, and effective learning environment.