Decimals - Compare Decimals - Planning

In Year 4, during the first week of the Summer term's Decimals unit, students are introduced to the concept of comparing decimal numbers. The lesson plan utilises a variety of resources including place value grids, counters, worksheets, and a presentation to help students understand and practice comparing decimals up to two decimal places. The lesson starts with a review of previous learning and a 'fluent in four' questions activity, setting the stage for the day's objective. Students are then taught to define the term 'compare' and to recognise and correctly use inequality symbols through class teaching and practical activities.

The lesson's activities are designed to deepen the students' grasp of place value and the role of zero as a placeholder. During the first activity, children discuss decimal numbers, the value of each digit, and the appropriate inequality symbol to use, reinforcing their understanding with sentence stems. The second activity is hands-on, where students use blank place value grids and counters to explore different decimal combinations that satisfy given inequalities, promoting discussion on the multiple correct answers. In the third activity, they apply their knowledge to abstract calculations, again using sentence stems to articulate their reasoning. The lesson concludes with a plenary where students reflect on what they've learned, the skills they've used, and what they found challenging, ensuring they remember the key points of the lesson. Differentiated worksheets cater to varying levels of understanding, from working towards the expected level to achieving greater depth in decimal comparison.