Mathematics · Grade 5

Active learning ideas

Reading and Writing Decimals

Active learning works well for decimals because students often struggle with place value concepts that abstract numbers represent. Handling materials like grids or blocks makes the fractional parts concrete. Discussing and writing decimals in multiple forms builds the language and reasoning needed for later operations with decimals.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• 5.NBT.A.3.A

• 15–35 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Think-Pair-Share
• 25 min · Pairs

Partner Match: Decimal Forms

Pairs receive cards showing decimals in standard, word, or expanded form. They match sets of three matching representations, then create their own sets to trade. Discuss and verify as a class.

Construct the expanded form of a decimal number to the thousandths.

Facilitation Tip

During Partner Match, provide a mix of numeral, word, and expanded forms so students must justify their matches with precise language.

What to look for

Provide students with a card displaying a decimal number (e.g., 5.678). Ask them to write the number in words, write its expanded form, and state the value of the digit in the hundredths place.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

Activity 02

• Think-Pair-Share
• 35 min · Small Groups

Small Group: Place Value Mats

Provide mats marked with place value columns to thousandths. Groups build numbers using base-ten blocks or drawings, then write all three forms. Rotate materials to try teacher-chosen numbers.

Explain how to correctly read a decimal number aloud.

Facilitation Tip

For Place Value Mats, circulate and ask guiding questions like, 'What does this block represent in this decimal?' to prompt deeper reasoning.

What to look for

Write a decimal number in expanded form on the board (e.g., 10 + 0.5 + 0.02 + 0.009). Ask students to write the base-ten numeral for this number on a mini-whiteboard and hold it up. Then, ask them to read the number aloud.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

Activity 03

• Think-Pair-Share
• 20 min · Whole Class

Whole Class: Read Aloud Chain

Display a decimal on the board. First student reads it aloud correctly; next writes it in expanded form; continue around the room with variations. Correct as a group.

Compare the expanded form of a whole number to that of a decimal number.

Facilitation Tip

In Read Aloud Chain, model the first number yourself, then invite hesitant students to repeat after a confident peer to build oral fluency.

What to look for

Present two decimal numbers written in expanded form, one as a whole number expansion and one as a decimal expansion (e.g., 123 and 12.3). Ask students: 'How are these expanded forms similar? How are they different? What does the decimal point do?'

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

Activity 04

• Think-Pair-Share
• 15 min · Individual

Individual: Number Journal

Students pick five decimals from daily life (e.g., measurements), write in all forms, and explain one orally to a partner. Collect for feedback.

Construct the expanded form of a decimal number to the thousandths.

Facilitation Tip

Require Number Journals to include both the written decimal and a visual representation using grids or base-ten blocks for each entry.

What to look for

Provide students with a card displaying a decimal number (e.g., 5.678). Ask them to write the number in words, write its expanded form, and state the value of the digit in the hundredths place.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teach decimals by layering concrete, pictorial, and symbolic representations. Start with grids and blocks to show tenths, hundredths, and thousandths, then connect these to the symbols and words. Avoid rushing to rules; instead, have students verbalize the meaning of each digit. Use repetition and choral practice to build automaticity in reading decimals aloud.

Students will confidently read decimals aloud using proper place value terms, write them in words and expanded form, and explain the value of each digit. They will connect base-ten numerals to their fractional equivalents without bundling errors or misnaming place values.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Partner Match: Decimal Forms, watch for students who read 0.7 as 'zero and seven wholes.'

  Have pairs use grid paper to shade seven tenths, then explain their shading using the term 'tenths' before matching to the numeral and word forms.

• During Small Group: Place Value Mats, watch for students who write 1.23 as 1 + 23 in expanded form.

  Provide base-ten blocks for the group to build 1.23, then have them separate the blocks into 1 whole, 2 tenths, and 3 hundredths before writing the correct expanded form together.

• During Whole Class: Read Aloud Chain, watch for students who read 3.405 as 'three point four zero five.'

  Before reading, model choral practice emphasizing 'four hundred five thousandths,' then have students record their readings and compare them to a reference recording to self-correct.

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Methods used in this brief

• Think-Pair-Share