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Lesson Plan
Math Classroom Challenge: Decimals
Help your students master decimals with this engaging math lesson. Your class will put their art skills to work creating a poster, and will practice mathematical explanations through peer collaboration.
Grade
Subject
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Learning Objectives
Students will be able to explain their mathematical reasoning and critique the reasoning of others.
Introduction
(10 minutes)- Write this problem (or something similar) on the board: Melissa multiplies 4.34 x 10. She gets the answer 0.434. Is Melissa's answer correct, or incorrect?
- Instruct your students to determine, without working out the problem, whether Melissa is right or wrong.
- Give students time to think. After a minute or so, request that each student turn to a partner and whisper their thoughts on the problem.
- Ask your students to give a thumbs up if they think they know the answer. Instruct your class to explain why Melissa is correct or incorrect with their partners.
- Walk around and listen to their discussions, asking guiding questions and encouraging students who are on the right track.
- Once you've made your way around the room, tell the class that Melissa's answer is incorrect. Explain that when solving the problem, Melissa moved the decimal point in the wrong direction.
- Tell your class that today, they will practice what they know about decimals, focusing primarily on their ability to explain themselves.
- Review the learning objective as a class.
