Decimal - Divide Decimals by Integers - Planning

In a Year 6 mathematics lesson focused on dividing decimals by integers, students are encouraged to deepen their understanding of decimals and the division process. The lesson begins with a recap of previous learning and a starter activity that prompts students to complete questions to refresh their knowledge. The class teaching input utilises place value counters as concrete resources, helping students visualise the division of decimals. They explore the concept of sharing and grouping through practical activities, where they use place value counters to divide numbers like 2.48 by 2, learning to distribute counters evenly and make exchanges when necessary. This hands-on approach is complemented by guidance on partitioning decimal numbers and applying short division methods to reinforce the skills learned.

As the lesson progresses, students engage in independent learning, practising a variety of calculations that become progressively more challenging. They learn to exchange counters between place value columns when numbers cannot be shared equally and to partition decimals for division. The plenary session includes reasoning activities where students work in groups to discuss and share answers, employing different strategies such as the part-whole method. The lesson aims to equip students with multiple strategies for dividing decimals, emphasising the importance of efficient written methods. The lesson concludes with a reflection on the skills used, such as partitioning and exchanging, and a reminder to remember the strategies learned. Worksheets with differentiated levels of difficulty are provided to cater to students working towards expected levels and those aiming for greater depth in their understanding of dividing decimals by integers.