Are you looking for ways to teach students to solve math problems that include decimals and fractions? If so, keep reading.
1. Get the student to solve money problems to practice decimal problems.
2. Get the student to practice solving problems involving fractions and decimals using apps.
3. Give the student a newspaper or catalog. Get them to make a list of things advertised that they would like to purchase and then determine the total cost of the things they selected.
4. Do not require the student to learn more information than they are capable of learning at any time.
5. Teach the student why they are learning the ideas of fractions and decimals. Give the student concrete examples and chances for them to apply these ideas in real-life situations.
6. Teach the student number ideas and the relationships of number symbols to numbers of objects before requiring them to solve math problems involving fractions and decimals.
7. Teach the student the concept of regrouping (e.g., changing mixed numerals into improper fractions, etc.).
8. Give practice with fractions and decimals using an app or a hand-held educational device that gives instant feedback to the student.
9. Give the student a daily shopping list of things and a corresponding list with the cost of each item (each involving a decimal point). Get the student to determine the total cost of their “purchase.”
10. Give the student manipulatives that represent the fractions involved in solving a problem.
11. Praise the student for correctly solving problems involving fractions or decimals: (a) give the student a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the student an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).
12. Give the student many concrete experiences to help them learn to use fractions and decimals (e.g., exchanging money, cutting pie-shaped pieces, measuring, weighing, telling time, etc.).
13. Give the student paper that has blank boxes and decimal points to guide the student to proper placement of decimal numbers when solving problems involving decimals.
14. Complete the first few problems of the math assignment with the student to make sure that they know/follow the instructions and the operations appropriate to solve the problems.
15. Give the student enjoyable math learning activities involving fractions and decimals that they can perform for drill and practice either alone or with a peer (e.g., computer games, math games, manipulatives, etc.).
16. Consider using Alexa for the Math Classroom.
17. Try gamifying your math lessons.
18. Consider using one of the apps and tools from our many math app lists:
9 Must-Have Apps and Tools for Kids Who Hate Math
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