Decimals - Activity: Tenths and Hundredths Activity - Planning

In a mathematics lesson tailored for Year 4 students, the concept of decimals is explored through the understanding of tenths and hundredths as fractions. The lesson begins with a recap of previous learning, where students review fractions using ten frames and hundred squares to identify shaded portions. The first activity introduces the numerical relationship between thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones using visual aids, and then delves into the connection between tenths and hundredths. Students learn to see '1' represented as a rectangle and how dividing this by 10 creates ten equal parts, each representing a tenth. Through practical examples and partner discussions, the children are encouraged to identify fractions of shaded parts in a ten frame and understand how these relate to decimals.

As the lesson progresses, the children are presented with a hundred grid, where '1' is split into 100 equal parts, to further illustrate hundredths. They are prompted to think about the number of shaded parts and how to efficiently count them. The lesson includes group work where students complete activities using the hundred square, reinforcing their understanding of tenths and hundredths. The plenary session involves reflective questions, where students consider the skills they've used, such as efficient counting methods, and what they found challenging. The lesson plan is designed to cater to different levels of understanding, with tasks ranging from completing a single hundred square to engaging with multiple squares and identifying fractions that can be simplified, all aimed at building fluency in working with decimals and fractions.