Big Ideas:
An algorithm can be an effective and efficient way to divide decimals.
Division models can help demonstrate how the algorithm works.
This lesson builds on students' work in fifth grade with visual and other conceptual models associated with division of decimals. The purpose of this standard is for students to understand and fluently use the standard algorithm for dividing decimals. This builds towards division of rational numbers in 7th grade. Successful use of the standard algorithm is the goal of this lesson. However, conceptual models should be used to make connections to the algorithm and lead to students successfully dividing whole numbers with the standard algorithm. In this task, students are asked to evenly distribute the $462.36 that Brooke and her friends have earned from a bake sale. While any method for solving this problem is encouraged, there is special emphasis placed in the debrief on place value models, the partial quotient algorithm and the standard algorithm.
Vocabulary:
Dividend
Divisor
Quotient
Remainder
Whole number place value vocabulary (thousands, hundreds, tens, ones)
Decimal point
Decimal place value vocabulary (tenths, hundredths, thousandths)
Lesson plan