Reading and Writing Decimals using Base 10 Blocks

This lesson teaches how to read and write decimals using base 10 blocks. It begins with an introduction to decimals as parts of a whole, using money as an example. The lesson explains the representation of decimals with base 10 blocks, where a flat represents one whole, a rod represents a tenth, and a small square represents a hundredth. Various examples are provided to illustrate how to read and write decimals, including exercises with shaded regions. The lesson addresses common misunderstandings about decimal numbers and explores advanced concepts using cubes to represent thousandths. By the end, students will understand how to construct and interpret decimal numbers using base 10 blocks.

What does a rod represent in the base 10 block system?

• A whole

• A tenth

• A thousandth

• A hundredth

How is the decimal 1.53 read in terms of tenths and hundredths?

• One and five hundredths, three tenths

• One and five tenths, three hundredths

• One and fifty-three tenths

• One and fifty-three hundredths

If a flat is one whole, what decimal is represented by 53 shaded squares out of 100?

• 0.53

• 0.35

• 53.0

• 5.3

What is a common misunderstanding when creating decimal numbers?

• Decimals can only represent whole numbers

• Decimals cannot be used with money

• There is only one sized whole that never changes

• Decimals are always less than one

When using the cube as one whole, what does the flat represent?

• A hundredth

• A tenth

• A thousandth

• A whole