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
Multiplying Decimals by Whole Numbers & Decimals Guided Notes Sketch & Doodles
$4.25
Overview
Ever wondered how to teach multiplying decimals by whole numbers and decimals in an engaging way to your 5th and 6th grade math students?
In this lesson plan, students will learn about multiplying decimals by whole numbers and decimals and their real-life applications. Through artistic, interactive guided notes, check for understanding, a doodle & color by number activity, and a maze worksheet, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of multiplying decimals.
The lesson culminates with a real-life example that explores how multiplying decimals is applied to planning an international trip and currency conversions.
Get the Lesson Materials
Multiplying Decimals by Whole Numbers & Decimals Guided Notes Sketch & Doodles
$4.25
Learning Objectives
After this lesson, students will be able to:
Multiply decimals by whole numbers
Multiply decimals by decimals
Apply the concept of multiplying decimals to a real-life scenario, such as planning an international trip and currency conversions
Prerequisites
Before this lesson, students should be familiar with:
Place value and the value of decimal digits
Multiplication of whole numbers
Materials
Pencils
Colored pencils or markers
Multiplying Decimals by Whole Numbers & Decimals Guided Notes
Key Vocabulary
Multiplying decimals
Whole numbers
Decimal places
Product
Procedure
Introduction
As a hook, ask students why multiplying decimals is important in real life situations. You can refer to the real-life application described on the last page of the guided notes, where students plan an international trip and make currency conversions. This will help engage students and set the context for learning about multiplying decimals.
Use the guided notes to introduce the topic of multiplying decimals by whole numbers and decimals. Walk through the key points of the topic, such as the steps involved in multiplying decimals and the concept of place value. Emphasize the importance of stacking decimal to the right when multiplying decimals (rather than lining up decimal place value as you would for decimal addition and subtraction). Also teach students how to count the number decimal place values in the factors to determine the placement of decimal point in the product. Walk through the example on the first page of the guided notes to ensure students understand each step. Refer to the FAQ section below for a walk through on this topic, as well as ideas on how to respond to common student questions.
Based on student responses, reteach concepts 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 multiplying decimals by whole numbers and decimals using the practice worksheets provided in the resource (page 2 of guided notes, called "Dessert Party). Students play the role of a customer buying different desserts and drinks in a cafe, using decimal multiplication to solve the problems. Walk around the classroom to answer any questions students may have while they work.
Fast finishers can engage in the maze activity or color by code activity, which offers extra practice. You may also assign it as homework for those who finish early.
Real-Life Application
Bring the class back together, and introduce the concept of multiplying decimals as applied to planning an international trip and currency conversions. This is covered on the last page of the guided notes resource. Refer to the FAQ for more ideas on how to teach it!
Extensions
Additional Self-Checking Digital Practice
If you’re looking for digital practice for multiplying decimals by decimals and whole numbers, try my Pixel Art activities in Google Sheets. Every answer is automatically checked, and correct answers unlock parts of a mystery picture. It’s incredibly fun, and a powerful tool for differentiation.
Here are some activities to explore:
Additional Print Practice
A fun, no-prep way to practice multiplying decimals by decimals and whole numbers is Doodle Math — they’re a fresh take on color by number or color by code. It includes multiple levels of practice, perfect for a review day or sub plan.
Here is an activity to try:
Multiplying Decimals Word Problems | Doodle Math: Twist on Color by Number (Fall)
Multiplying Decimals Word Problems | Doodle Math: Twist on Color by Number (Winter)
Real-Life Math Project
A fun way to wrap this lesson with your students is with one of my real-life math projects. They enable students to see the application of the math in an engaging, extended project:
FAQs
Decimals are a way to represent numbers that are not whole. They include a decimal point, which separates the whole number part from the fractional part.
To multiply a decimal by a whole number, you can ignore the decimal point and multiply the numbers as if they were whole numbers. Then, count the number of decimal places in the decimal factor and place the decimal point in the product accordingly.
To multiply decimals by decimals, multiply the numbers as if they were whole numbers, ignoring the decimal points. Then, count the total number of decimal places in both factors and place the decimal point in the product accordingly.
Knowing how to multiply decimals is important because decimals are used in many real-life situations, such as calculating prices, measurements, and money. It allows us to accurately represent and calculate with numbers that are not whole.
Let's say each pack of candy cost $2.50 and you want to buy 4 packs. To find out the total cost, you would multiply 2.5 by 4. The product is 10. So, it will cost $10 in total.
Let's say you are at a store and you want to buy 3.75 pounds of apples, but each pound costs $1.50. To find out how much the apples will cost in total, you can multiply 3.75 by 1.50. The product is 5.625. So, the apples will cost $5.63.
Multiplying decimals can be used in various situations, such as calculating the total cost of items at a store, finding the area of a rectangular garden, or converting units of measurement. It helps us solve problems and make accurate calculations in everyday life.
Yes, here's a tip: When multiplying decimals, it's helpful to align the decimal points vertically. It makes it easier to count the decimal places and place the decimal point correctly in the product. Also, it's important to keep track of the total number of decimal places in both factors.