There is something about decimals that just me excited. I love teaching algorithm-based math concepts and decimals are such a real-world concept that the buy-in is easier than say fractions? Like do you really use multiplication of fractions all that often? But how often do you have to multiply the price of something by how many packs you need to buy? Exactly! Operations on decimal numbers are so much more real-world!
However, operations on decimal numbers aren’t that simple to teach.
One of the main struggles with operations on decimal numbers is the fact that it is based on whole number operations and number sense. If a student has a strong grasp of that primary elementary skill, then decimal operations make sense quickly. If a student is missing that number sense foundation, decimals just make everything more difficult to learn.
Before I jump into all my operations of decimals activities, let’s start with the basics.
How to do operations with decimals?
Wondering how to do operations with decimals? You came to the right place! Essentially operations on decimal numbers are the same as operations with whole numbers. The only difference is that after the algorithm, you have to take care of the decimal.
For adding and subtracting decimals: line up the decimal points, perform the operation, then drop the decimal point down into the answer
How do we multiply decimals by decimals? set up the multiplication algorithm and solve. Then count the number of places behind the decimal point in the numbers you multiplied together. Next starting from the far right of the answer, move the decimal point over to the left that many times.
Division of decimals problems: This one is probably the trickiest to teach because there are 3 different ways, depending on where the decimal place is. This video is so helpful in teaching yourself before you get in front of students to teach 🙂 I always give myself a refresher on this topic before teaching!
Understanding Decimal Place Value
Operations on decimal numbers would be pretty pointless without understanding decimal place value. Without this foundation skill, the other standards become that much more difficult to learn.
Start off your decimal place value unit slow and steady. I like to incorporate whole number place value through morning work or math learning centers before I even start teaching decimals. I want students to have that strong foundation in whole numbers first so that we can ramp up the rigor with decimals later.
Since so much of operations on decimal numbers are based on the whole number counterpart, place value is key. Don’t rush through decimal place values. Even if it is not explicitly part of our standards (looking at you 6th-grade common core) the operations of decimals are made more difficult without place value.
For example, why do we need to line up decimal points in order to add them? Place values need to line up just like with whole numbers. Why do we not line up decimal points in multiplication? Because place value takes a back seat in the multiplication algorithm for whole numbers.
I have a whole other post about how to teach including a worksheet on decimal place value. That post is linked here.
Operations on Decimal Numbers Activities
Looking for ideas to shake up your operations on decimal numbers units? With this important upper elementary topic, there are tons of options. These ones are my personal favorites and ones that fill a variety of different places in your math block. I use all of these resources during my 45 minute math block. Be sure to check out that blog post for more information on how I fit it all in!
Curriculum for Operations on Decimal Numbers
I like having a base curriculum to pull from for my instruction. Since my school doesn’t have a set curriculum, I made my own! This unit has a bunch of different worksheets for notes, homework, tests, quizzes, study guide, exit tickets, and data tracking sheets! Everything you need to teach for 11 days!
- Fill in the blank notes with short videos (5-10 minutes) to match the notes sheet. These are perfect for a flipped classroom or for absent students.
- 5th grade math decimals worksheets for homework or guided practice. These also make easy, independent work for math station ideas.
- Math Exit Tickets for each day of notes are included. They are available in 3 different forms: paper slips, Google Slides to present to the class, and Google Forms for self-grading.
- A mid-unit quiz
- Study Guide to review your entire operations on decimal numbers unit
- 2 Versions of the Test for retake options or they can be used for a pretest and post-test data point
- Data Tracking Spreadsheets for simple data tracking on exit tickets, assessments, or Common Core Standards
If you want to know more about the unit, click here to be taken to my TPT shop.
5th grade math decimals worksheets
This worksheet on decimal place value bundle has 15 weeks of decimal skills. Decimal place value and operation on decimals combine to create this set of worksheets. These are perfect for morning work, spiral review homework, or a math station idea. The decimals change each day but the skills stay the same for the week. This gives students practice on a decimal place value skill for the entire week.
Disclaimer: this worksheet on decimal place value option does include some operations of decimal numbers prompts and isn’t strictly place value. However, since I teach decimal place values and then the operations it spirals nicely.
Decimal Games for 5th grade
This is another bundle that has 12 different activities for students to play. I love using the activities included to break up concepts and the engagement in my classroom! The scavenger hunt is a great way to get students up and moving around the classroom while still practicing operations on decimal numbers. The Error Analysis activity is another favorite for helping students see the value of showing their work and checking their answers.
Also in this bundle are choice board templates that are recreated with activities for students to choose from. This is a great fast finisher activity or an extension lesson for high achievers. Learn more here or click the picture below.
5th Grade Decimal Problems & Digital Task Cards
These digital task cards are an easy, low prep option to get students practicing operations on decimal numbers. I usually assign these as independent practice, an emergency sub plan assignment, or as a math station.
Ideas for Math Posters: Decimal in Place Value Chart
This is a set of traceable anchor charts AND fill-in-the-blank student charts. These are a great way to not only introduce students to the idea of note-taking but also provide a decimal in place value chart for students to reference. I don’t know about you but I find that I run out of wall space for anchor charts really quick. So I like using math interactive notebooks (or my alternative math folders) as a space for students to access the charts on their own.
This bundle includes both decimal place value charts and operations on decimal numbers. It was created to teach all of the decimal Common Core Standards.
Games on Decimals
Last but not least, my favorite type of activity: is games! There are 3 different games on decimals that my students are obsessed with. Bonus points for them being print & play, no cutting or laminating!
If you want to learn more about how to et up math stations in your 4th-6th grade classroom then I have a free 5 part video series walking you through how to set up math rotations. Just drop your email below and you’ll have access to the free video series!
First up are the Double Dice Games. These games about decimals are a year-round staple as students are creating their own math problems with dice. Talk about a student-centric learning method! What’s more student-centered than that? Students roll dice to create a decimal and then compete against their partners to create the largest decimal using their operations on decimal numbers skills. This game can be left out for a few weeks in math learning centers or is a great spiral review option before state testing starts. Click here to learn more.
The next set of games on decimals is Tic Tac Toe! This game is one of my students’ favorites in math stations so there are a few skills that I practice through games. The multiply decimals practice game has students. The next game focuses on the division of decimals problems. The last Tic Tac Toe version is a FREEBIE all about adding and subtracting decimals. To play this game simply print the game boards. Students will pair up and solve a math problem. They then check answers with their partner (yes it’s also self-checking!). If the answer is right, they take a turn at Tic Tac Toe. The rules are simple to follow and my students get so come-give it’s crazy!
Similar to Tic Tac Toe is the 4 in a Row Games on Decimals. I like this game option to review before the unit test or even the standardized tests at the end of the year. This game has students solve a mix of operations on decimal problems. Students choose a problem and solve it. Then they check their answer with their partner. Finally, they put a shape in the box and try to get 4 in a row, similar to connect 4. This is another game that my students love seeing as a math learning center.
Hot off the press is my Wordy-Land Decimal Operations game! This game board is perfect for helping students with word problems! From determining which operation to use to giving students real-world application, this decimal operations game is sure to be a hit. Check out the new word problem game here.
You can grab these decimal operation games here in my TPT store.
Looking for more ideas on operations on decimal numbers?
Want more operations on decimal numbers teaching strategies and activities? Check out the blog posts below, they have tons of ideas to shake up your math block and get students practicing with decimals.
- How to Teach Decimals Conceptually: This is a great blog post all about building that decimal number sense and place value
- 10 Decimal Operations Activities Your Students Will Love!: A jam packed full list of games on decimals and so much more
- How to Help your Students Master Decimals Operations: Such great information and teaching ideas to ehlp you plan out your operations on decimal numbers unit
- Why I’m Not Teaching Decimal Operations ‘Rules’: Great tips on getting away from the algorithms while still building foundational decimal skills
- Teach Decimals the Right Way- For Conceptual Understanding: Another conceptual post about operations on decimal numbers that I found helpful
- Worksheet on Decimal Place Value: looking for more understanding decimal place value? This post has a bunch of options that move away from worksheets
I’d love to know what’s your favorite operations on decimal numbers activity? Drop your ideas in the comments below!
[…] and months. I also use one of these videos at the start of my add and subtract fractions unit or operations on decimal numbers […]