Overview

This 4-day unit develops 4th graders’ abilities to multiply decimals by powers of 10, apply rounding to estimate products, and use place value understanding in these contexts. The lessons align with South Carolina Math Standards 5.NR.1.4 and 5.PAFR.1.4, closely tied to Common Core State Standards for Number and Operations in Base Ten (CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NBT.B.6 & 4.NBT.A.3).

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Standards Addressed

South Carolina Math Standards

• 5.NR.1.4: Use place value knowledge and patterns to multiply decimals by powers of 10.
• 5.PAFR.1.4: Use rounding to estimate the product of decimals and whole numbers.

Common Core State Standards (CCSS)

• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NBT.B.6: Find whole-number quotients of whole numbers with up to four-digit dividends and two-digit divisors, using strategies based on place value, the properties of operations, and the relationship between multiplication and division.
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NBT.A.3: Use place value understanding to round multi-digit whole numbers to any place.

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Day 1: Decimal Multiplication & Place Value Patterns

Objective

I can multiply decimal numbers by powers of 10 using place value patterns.

Success Criteria

• I can explain how moving the decimal point changes the number.
• I can multiply decimals by 10, 100, and 1000 confidently.

Materials Needed

• Base-ten blocks (virtual or concrete)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Place value charts
• Student notebooks

Lesson Plan

Time	Activity
10 min	Introduction (I Do): Teacher models multiplying a decimal (e.g. 3.45) by 10, 100, 1000 using place value charts and base-ten blocks. Visualize shifting digits and moving the decimal point right. Explicitly state I can multiply decimals by powers of 10 using place value understanding.
15 min	Guided Practice (We Do): Whole-class solving several examples with teacher support (e.g., 0.82 × 10, 5.67 × 100). Students use place value charts to demonstrate digit movement. Teacher asks prompting questions to check understanding.
20 min	Independent Practice (You Do): Students work on 8 problems multiplying decimals by 10, 100, and 1000 in notebooks. Teacher circulates and confers to offer support.
10 min	Small Group Intervention: Targeted support for struggling learners using concrete manipulatives and step-by-step instruction. Advanced group receives open-ended extension, creating their own decimal × power of 10 problems and explaining their reasoning.

Differentiation

• Struggling: Use place-value mats and base-ten blocks to physically move digits. Scaffold with stepwise questions.
• Advanced: Challenge to multiply decimals by 10,000 and write word problems illustrating the process.

Closure

Exit ticket: Write one sentence explaining the effect of multiplying a decimal by 10.

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Day 2: Rounding Decimals to Estimate Products

Objective

I can round decimals to the nearest whole number or tenth to estimate products.

Success Criteria

• I can accurately round decimals to estimate answers.
• I can use estimation to check if answers are reasonable.

Materials

• Rounding anchor charts
• Worksheet with decimal numbers to round and estimate products
• Number lines

Lesson Plan

Time	Activity
10 min	Introduction (I Do): Model rounding decimals to the nearest whole number and tenth. Show how to decide whether to round up or down. Connect to estimating multiplication products.
15 min	Guided Practice (We Do): Students and teacher work through examples such as rounding 4.7 and then estimating 4.7 × 3 by rounding first. Use number lines for visualization.
20 min	Independent Practice (You Do): Students round decimals and estimate products from a worksheet. Emphasize showing rounding steps.
10 min	Small Group Support: For students needing help, use number line activities and verbal explanations. For advanced students, explore rounding decimals to the nearest hundredth and estimating with larger numbers.

Differentiation

• Support: Manipulate number lines and use guided questioning for rounding.
• Extension: Estimate products involving decimals rounded to the nearest hundredth.

Closure

Think-Pair-Share: Share an example where rounding helped estimate a product quickly.

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Day 3: Applying Patterns & Rounding in Word Problems

Objective

I can solve word problems multiplying decimals by powers of 10 and use rounding to estimate products.

Success Criteria

• I can identify the decimal and whole number in a problem.
• I can multiply using place value or rounding strategies.

Materials

• Word problem task cards
• Graphic organizers for problem-solving steps
• Whiteboards

Lesson Plan

Time	Activity
10 min	Introduction (I Do): Teacher models solving a word problem, highlighting key parts and deciding strategy (multiplying decimal by power of 10 or estimating by rounding). Use a graphic organizer.
15 min	Guided Practice (We Do): Solve 2-3 problems as a class using interactive whiteboard or document camera. Students contribute and explain their reasoning.
20 min	Independent Practice (You Do): Students work in pairs or individually on 5 word problems. Fill out graphic organizers, solve, and explain their thinking in writing.
10 min	Small Group Support: Re-teach with manipulatives; provide sentence frames. Advanced group creates their own real-world problems involving decimals and powers of 10.

Differentiation

• Support: Use manipulatives, guided questioning, and sentence starters like “The decimal number is…”
• Extension: Write multi-step word problems that involve both multiplying decimals by powers of 10 and rounding to estimate.

Closure

Exit ticket: Summarize one strategy you used today and why it helped you solve the problem.

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Day 4: Review & Assessment

Objective

I can confidently multiply decimals by powers of 10 and use rounding to estimate products.

Success Criteria

• I can complete all questions correctly on the assessment.
• I can explain my strategy for multiplying and estimating.

Materials

• Assessment packet
• Whiteboards for quick review
• Manipulatives for support

Lesson Plan

Time	Activity
15 min	Review (I Do + We Do): Go over key concepts with whole class – multiplying decimals by 10, 100, 1000, rounding decimals, and solving word problems. Use quick whiteboard responses for formative checks.
30 min	Assessment: Students complete written assessment covering multiplication of decimals by powers of 10, rounding for estimation, and word problems. Provide manipulatives or scaffolded pages if needed.
10 min	Reflection & Closure: Students self-assess their understanding using a rubric: Can they multiply decimals by powers of 10? Can they round decimals to estimate? Share what they found easy and challenging.

Differentiation

• Support: Allow use of place-value charts and manipulatives during assessment.
• Advanced: Include a bonus question requiring multiplication by 10,000 or estimation with decimals beyond the tenths place.

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Assessment Description

The assessment evaluates:

• Multiplying decimals by powers of 10 (10, 100, 1000) correctly.
• Rounding decimals to the nearest whole number or tenth.
• Using rounding to estimate multiplication products.
• Applying multiplication and rounding skills in word problems.

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Extension Activities

• Create a mini-poster or digital presentation demonstrating how to multiply decimals by powers of 10 with examples and visuals.
• Solve “What if?” challenges: How does multiplying by 1,000 change the number? Show with examples.
• Investigate decimals where multiplying by 10, 100, or 1,000 moves the decimal point but the value stays the same (e.g., 0 × 10).

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Differentiation Summary

Learner Type	Strategies
Struggling Learners	Use manipulatives, concrete examples, guided practice, graphic organizers, and sentence frames.
On-Level Learners	Gradual release with varied problem types and independent practice.
Advanced Learners	Engage in open-ended questions, challenge tasks, and create own problems.

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This plan honors the teacher’s focus on the SC new Math standards with a structured “I do, we do, you do,” clear success criteria, built-in interventions, and extensions to meet all learners’ needs while using a variety of engagement methods to ‘wow’ in the classroom.