Examples of what pupils should know and be able to do
Know, for example:
- In 5.239 the digit 9 represents nine thousandths, which is written as 0.009.
- The number 5.239 in words is 'five point two three nine'.
- The fraction 5 239/1000 is read as 'five and two hundred and thirty-nine thousandths'.
- FTM(S)Y789 p. 36 - Acrobat pdf document (25Kb)
- Number line question - Rtf (rich text format) document (28Kb)
- Arrangements question - Rtf (rich text format) document (76Kb)
- Place value question - Rtf (rich text format) document (16Kb)
Probing questions
What is the purpose of the decimal point?
What is a 'decimal'?
Why is 0 so useful when it is worth nothing?
How would you explain to someone that 0.35 is greater than 0.035?
What if pupils find this a barrier?
Use number lines to show that 0.1 is equivalent to 1/10 (one tenth) or 10 hundredths and that 0.01 is equivalent to one hundredth.
A common mistake is for pupils to read the number 5.239 as 'five point two hundred and thirty-nine'.
Use Moving Digits ITP - Zip file (457Kb) to change between fractions, decimals, and place value to make appropriate links.
<< Previous Step | Next Step >>