Comparing Decimals Game

Objectives & Outcomes

Students will read, write, and compare decimals to thousandths. Students will compare two decimals to thousandths based on meanings of the digits in each place, using >, =, and < symbols to record the results of comparisons.

Materials Needed

• 1 copy of the 2 page worksheet (attached)
• 1 deck of cards per pair of students (with Jacks, Queens and Kings removed)
• 1 pencil

Procedure

Opening to Lesson

• Model the game by playing you against the class for the first round.

Body of Lesson

• Place the worksheet on the overhead and read the directions aloud with the class.
• Since you’re the oldest, select a card from the deck (if you have not previously set aside Jacks, Queens, and Kings, do this as you play)
• Think aloud as you choose where to place the number you selected.
  • “I chose a 3, this is a small whole number, but it’s not the smallest whole number. If I put it in the Ones place it will have a value of only 3, but if I put it in the Thousands place it will have a value of 30,000. I’m not sure what to do… Class what value with this 3 have if I put it in the Hundreds place???”
• Call on a student to select the next card and have him decide where to put his card and state the value based on the place he chose.
  • You may wish to let him call on a friend for advice, or have students shout out where he should place the card, depending on the energy of your class and day.
• Continue until all of the spaces are filled in.
• Read your final number in the correct form. “My number is 67,943.421.
• Call on a student to read the class’ number and help them to read it in correct form.
  • “Our number is 68,721.314”
• Now ask students who has the greater number.
• Call on students to read the entire sentence: 68,721.314 is greater than 67,943.421.
• Now ask them which number is smaller.
• Call on students to read the entire sentence: 67,943.421 is less than 68,721.314.
• On page 2, write your number in the Player 1 space and the class’ number in the player 2 place. Ask them which one of the symbols belongs in the middle, <, =, or >
• Explain that player one always writes their number in the Player 1 place and player 2 always in the player 2 place, but you will write a different symbol based on who’s number is greater.
• Circle or highlight the greater number to show which partner won this round.
• Give students time to play the game with their partners.
• You may choose to have them play multiple rounds with one partner or change partners after each round.
• The game can be modified so that the smaller number wins.

Closing

Call on students to read the results of some of the rounds of the game.

Assessment & Evaluation

Students analyze and compare the results of the game, teacher can check the comparison in part 2 of the worksheet and assess students in this way.

Modification & Differentiation

The teacher can work in with students in small groups for those who need extra assistance.

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