Want more ideas and freebies?
Get my free resource library with digital & print activities—plus tips over email.
Join for free resources →Get the Lesson Materials
Long Division Decimals by Whole Numbers Guided Notes & Doodles | Worksheets
$4.25
Overview
Ever wondered how to teach dividing decimals by whole numbers in an engaging way to your fifth and sixth grade students?
In this lesson plan, students will learn about decimal long division and its real-life applications. Through artistic and interactive guided notes, checks for understanding, practice worksheets, and a real-life application activity, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of dividing decimals by whole numbers.
The lesson begins with guided notes that introduce the topic, including the terms dividend and divisor and the steps for decimal long division. These structured notes help students understand the steps of dividing decimals and provide examples and checks for understanding to ensure they are on the right track.
Next, students will engage in practice worksheets and a color by code activity to reinforce their understanding of dividing decimals by whole numbers. These activities provide hands-on practice and a fun way for students to apply their knowledge.
Finally, the lesson culminates with a real-life application activity where students will read and write about dividing decimals as applied to planning a road trip. This activity helps students see the relevance of the topic in everyday life and encourages critical thinking.
Overall, this lesson plan provides a comprehensive and engaging approach to teaching dividing decimals by whole numbers. Students will not only learn the concept but also apply it to real-world situations, enhancing their understanding and retention of the topic.
- Standards: CCSS 5.NBT.B.6, CCSS 5.NBT.B.7, CCSS 6.NS.B.2, CCSS 6.NS.B.3
- Topic: Decimals
- Grades: 5th Grade, 6th Grade
- Type: Lesson Plans
Get the Lesson Materials
Long Division Decimals by Whole Numbers Guided Notes & Doodles | Worksheets
$4.25
Learning Objectives
After this lesson, students will be able to:
Define and identify the terms dividend, divisor, and quotient in a division problem involving decimals and whole numbers
Use the steps of decimal long division to accurately solve division problems involving decimals and whole numbers
Apply the concept of dividing decimals by whole numbers to real-life situations, such as planning a road trip
Prerequisites
Before this lesson, students should be familiar with:
Basic multiplication and division skills of whole numbers
Understanding of place value and the relationship between whole numbers and decimals
Materials
Pencils
Colored pencils or markers
Key Vocabulary
Dividing decimals
Whole numbers
Decimal long division
Dividend
Divisor
Quotient
Real-life application
Procedure
Introduction
As a hook, ask students why it is important to be able to divide decimals by whole numbers. This question will help engage students and activate their prior knowledge. Refer to the last page of the guided notes, specifically the real-life application section about planning a road trip, as well as the FAQs below for ideas.
Use the first page of the guided notes to introduce the concept of dividing decimals by whole numbers. Explain to students that in this lesson, they will learn how to divide decimals by whole numbers using decimal long division. Walk through the key points of the topic of the guided notes, such as identifying the dividend and divisor, and walk through the steps required for decimal long division.
Based on student responses and understanding, reteach any concepts or steps that students need extra help with. If your class has a wide range of proficiency levels, you can pull out students for reteaching, and have more advanced students begin work on the practice exercises.
Practice
Have students practice dividing decimals by whole numbers using the maze activity provided in the resource. Walk around the classroom to answer any questions that students may have while they are working on the worksheets.
Fast finishers can engage in the color by code activity included in the resource for extra practice. This can also be assigned as homework for students who need additional practice or for those who finish the worksheets early.
Real-Life Application
Bring the class back together, and introduce the concept of dividing decimals by whole numbers in a real-life situation. Explain that understanding how to divide decimals by whole numbers can be helpful when planning a road trip. Use the example on page 5 of the guided notes resource to start the discussion and encourage student reflection on this topic.
Ask students to imagine that they and their family are going on a road trip. Discuss with the class some of the planning that would be involved in this situation. Prompt them with questions such as:
How would you calculate the distance you need to travel in total? How do you split up the distance over multiple days?
What if you wanted to know how many tanks of gas you would need for the trip?
Explain to students that dividing decimals by whole numbers can help answer these types of questions. When dividing decimals by whole numbers, the quotient (answer) will often be a decimal. This allows us to calculate measurements, quantities, and costs more precisely.
Refer to the FAQ or discuss other real-world scenarios in which dividing decimals by whole numbers could be helpful. This will help students understand the practical applications of this mathematical concept and its relevance in their everyday lives.
Extensions
Additional Print Practice
If you're looking for additional print practice to reinforce the concept of dividing decimals by whole numbers, try these Doodle Math activities. They provide a fun and interactive way for students to practice their skills. Each activity includes multiple levels of practice, making it easy to differentiate for your students' needs.
Here are some Doodle Math activities to try:
Additional Self-Checking Digital Practice
For students who enjoy digital practice and would benefit from immediate feedback, you can offer them Pixel Art activities in Google Sheets. These activities provide a fun and interactive way for students to practice dividing decimals by whole numbers. Every answer is automatically checked, and correct answers unlock parts of a mystery picture.
Here are some Pixel Art activities to explore:
FAQs
Decimal long division is a method used to divide decimal numbers by whole numbers. It is similar to regular long division, but with an extra step to deal with the decimal point.
To divide decimals by whole numbers using decimal long division, follow these steps:
Rewrite the problem so that divisor is a whole number (you may need to move decimal points for dividend and divisor). Then, place the divisor outside the division bracket and the dividend inside the bracket, making sure the decimal points in the quotient line up with decimal points in the dividend.
Divide the first digit of the dividend by the divisor. Write the quotient above the division bracket.
Multiply the divisor by the quotient and write the product below the dividend.
Subtract the product from the dividend and write the difference below the line.
Bring down the next digit of the dividend and repeat steps 2-4 until there are no more digits to bring down.
Once there are no more digits to bring down, if there is a remainder, place a decimal point in the quotient, add a zero after the decimal point, and continue dividing until the desired level of precision is reached.
Dividing decimals by whole numbers is important because it allows us to solve real-life problems involving numbers with decimal values. It is a fundamental skill needed in many areas, including finance, science, and engineering.
Dividing decimals by whole numbers can be applied in real life situations such as:
Dividing a total cost among a group of people.
Calculating the average price of multiple items.
Scaling recipes when cooking or baking.
Some strategies to check the accuracy of decimal long division include:
Multiplying the quotient by the divisor to see if it equals the dividend.
Estimating an answer before dividing to see if the quotient is close to the estimate.
You can help your students understand and practice dividing decimals by whole numbers by:
Providing clear explanations and visual examples.
Breaking down the steps of decimal long division and practicing each step separately.
Using manipulatives or drawings to represent the numbers and division process.
Offering real-life word problems that require dividing decimals by whole numbers.
Assigning practice exercises and providing feedback and support as needed.
Here are a few tips and tricks that can make dividing decimals by whole numbers easier:
Make sure the decimal points line up for dividend and quotient when setting up the division.
If the dividend does not have enough decimal places, add zeros before bringing down the next digit.
Keep track of decimal places in the quotient as you divide to maintain accuracy.
Estimate the answer before dividing to get a sense of what the quotient should be.
Practice dividing decimals by whole numbers regularly to build fluency.