Math lesson plan · 5th grade (Year 6 in England) · 45 minutes
Divide decimals
Decimals and percentages
CCSS 5.NBT.B.7CCSS 6.NS.B.3England: Y6 Fractions (including decimals)
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Divide decimals.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Multiply decimals; Divide by a one-digit number
Leads to: Fractions as decimals; Speed, density and other rates; Divide by a decimal
Materials: Place value chart with tenths and hundredths, Hundred squares, Number lines, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Multiply decimals; Divide by a one-digit number). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- 6 × 3 = ? → 18Prompt: Multiply 60 × 3 as whole numbers first.
- 216 ÷ 4 = ? → 54Prompt: Use short division (bus stop): divide the digits from the left.
- 2.3 × 4.4 = ? → 10.12Prompt: Ignore the decimal points and multiply the whole numbers.
Hook · 5 min
- Show two prices or race times with decimals and ask which is bigger, then why.
- Share the objective: Divide decimals. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: 19.8 ÷ 2 = ?
- Step 1: 19.8 ÷ 2 = 9.9
- Step 2: Check: 9.9 × 2 = 19.8
- Answer: 9.9
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- 51.6 ÷ 6 = ? → 8.6Prompt: Divide as with whole numbers.
- 9.2 ÷ 0.4 = ? → 23Prompt: Make the divisor a whole number by multiplying both numbers by 10 (or 100).
You do: independent practice · 10 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- 24.3 ÷ 9 = ? → 2.7Prompt: Divide as with whole numbers.
- 4.2 ÷ 0.6 = ? → 7Prompt: Make the divisor a whole number by multiplying both numbers by 10 (or 100).
Watch out for
- Thinking 0.45 is bigger than 0.5 because 45 is bigger than 5.
- Moving the digits the wrong way when multiplying or dividing by 10.
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Multiply decimals.
- Use concrete materials: place value chart with tenths and hundredths.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: Fractions as decimals; Speed, density and other rates; Divide by a decimal.
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/math/grade-5.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder