Base ten blocks (flats, longs, and cubes)
Decimal number cards (e.g., 0.446, 0.46, 5.2, 5.02)
Introduction:
Explain that base ten blocks can be used to represent decimal numbers by assigning different values to the blocks.
Normally, a cube equals one, but for this activity, a flat equals one-tenth, a long equals one-hundredth, and a cube equals one-thousandth.
Building the Decimal:
Begin by comparing the decimals 0.446 and 0.46.
For 0.446, start with the first digit, 4 in the tenths place. Place four flats on the table.
Move to the second digit, 4 in the hundredths place. Add four longs to the table.
Finally, represent the six-thousandths by adding six cubes.
Building the Comparison Decimal:
Now build 0.46 using base ten blocks.
Start with the four tenths, placing four flats on the table.
Add the six hundredths by placing six longs on the table.
Compare the Decimals:
With the base ten blocks in front of you, compare the representations.
It is visually clear that 0.46 (four flats and six longs) is larger than 0.446 (four flats, four longs, and six cubes).
Additional Practice:
Use other pairs of decimal numbers, such as 5.2 and 5.02, to practice the comparison.
For 5.2, place five flats and two longs.
For 5.02, place five flats and two cubes.
Visually compare to see that 5.2 is greater than 5.02.
Discussion:
Discuss how using base ten blocks helps in understanding the value of each digit in a decimal.
Emphasize the importance of place value in comparing decimal numbers.
Assessment:
Provide students with additional decimal pairs to compare using base ten blocks.
Observe and check their understanding and ability to correctly build and compare the decimal numbers.
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