Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8

In this lesson plan which is adaptable for grades 3-8, students use BrainPOP resources to explore multiplying decimals.

Students will:

  1. Explain the procedure for multiplying decimals.
  2. Practice multiplying decimals in a variety of contexts.

Materials:

  • Computers with internet access for BrainPOP

Preparation:

Preview the Multiplying Decimals Movie and this lesson plan, and determine how to best adapt them for your students needs.

Lesson Procedure:

  1. Read the Related Reading Sports page, and talk with students about how winning percentages are calculated in sports. You may want to give specific examples featuring local and regional sports teams, and demonstrate how to figure out the actual percentage of games won in order to model strategies for multiplying decimals.
  2. Tell students they can watch a BrainPOP movie to learn more about multiplying decimals. Play the Multiplying Decimals Movie for the class.
  3. Have students practice multiplying decimals using the Worksheet in class, and the Graphic Organizer for homework.
  4. To assess students' understanding of the procedure for multiplying decimals, challenge students to create their own BrainPOP-style videos or screencasts explaining the process. Brainstorm ways students can share their videos with other students to help them understand how to multiply decimals.

Extension Activities:

Provide time for students to explore the Flower Power game to reinforce what they've learned about multiplying decimals and other math skills.