Math Lesson Plan: Multiplying Decimals

Lesson Opening

1. We have finally completed our unit on fractions. Ask the children if they thought fractions were difficult or easy. Ask them which fractions skills were the most difficult for them. Ask them what they think the next step is.

1. The next skill we will be working on is decimals. Believe it or not, many of the lessons you learned for fractions can be applied to decimals. We will be examining all sorts of different things concerning decimals, such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, converting to fractions, converting from fractions, ordering, and more. If you want, the children can give you a list and you can write it on the board.

1. However, we will be doing most of that in January. Since we only have two days left until Christmas, we are going to start with two simple decimal skills: multiplying and dividing fractions. You will be surprised to find how similar they are to multiplying and dividing whole numbers.

Guided Practice

1. Multiplying decimals has two parts. The first part is this: forget about the decimals! Just multiply like you normally would and pretend they aren't there. Second, add up the decimal place and move the decimal over that many spaces in the answer.

1. I figured it was better to start with a simple idea, then to teach a complicated one and have to reteach it after the break. If you have extra time, you may want to look at some other ideas such as how a decimal is a fraction of a number, how to write decimals, how to order decimals, or where you see decimals in real life.

Independent Practice

1. Pass out multiplying decimal worksheets, or complete them out of the red book. If you are short decimals worksheets, you can always add decimals to regular multiplication problems. Remind the children that if you can multiply whole numbers, you can definitely multiply decimals.

Closing

1. Ask the children to put their answers on the board.