Post 4

We have started lessons on decimals this week.  I actually love decimals.  Today students were learning how to compare decimals.  The were told that decimals should be compared in the same way we compare whole numbers - by comparing the digits in the highest place value first and so on.  

40.32 is smaller than 40.466 even though it has more digits because the tenths digit is smaller in 40.32 than 40.466.

They were also shown a number scale.   A few students were called on to pick two decimals on the number line and compare them (ie. a is greater than b).  They were also asked to explain their answer.  

Next, they were told to work independently on a page in their textbooks and the answers were reviewed with the whole class.  

IXL is a website my coordinating teacher uses frequently.  She uses it mostly for practice but it can be used for much more.   It can be used for lessons, practice, assessments, professional development, add on's (ie worksheets), etc.  The students today were strengthening what they learned in the lesson.  They were putting decimals in order of greatest to least or vice versa.   They were also given decimals to compare and answer whether the numbers were <,>, or = to one another.  They were told by the teacher they needed to get to 95% on this practice work.  The website is interactive.  For example, when asked to put the following decimals in order from least to greatest, the numbers may be in boxes that the students can drag to the right place.  When they submit their answers they get responses.  A correct answer may get in large print praise such as, "Fantastic!"  

Giving students a goal on this practice work is great; however, this didn't work out for the student that I support with ADHD.  Reflecting on this now, I should have lowered his goal percent down to 80.  Also, I am struggling a bit with helping him in the classroom.  He doesn't like the additional attention from me in the classroom.  Understandably, I believe he doesn't want to seem like he needs more help than others.  This is something I am still working on with him.