Converting Fractions to Decimals and Decimals to Fractions

Rationale:
This lesson is designed for fourth grade and is meant to reinforce students understanding
of converting fractions to decimals and vice versa. It consists of a mini-lesson to review the
concepts and ideas behind converting fractions and decimals, followed by an activity where
students fill in a grid with the letters of their name and determine how many boxes in each grid
their name takes up. They will write this number as a fraction and a decimal.
Standard:
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NF.C.6: Use decimal notation for fractions with
denominators 10 or 100. For example, rewrite 0.62 as 62/100; describe a length as 0.62 meters;
locate 0.62 on a number line diagram.
Objective:
Students will be able to convert fractions to decimals and decimals to fractions without
using a calculator. Students will discuss how to convert fractions to decimals and vice versa and
complete an activity to reinforce this idea.
Procedure:
1. Ask student what they know about fractions and decimals. Fractions and decimals are
different ways to write the same numbers. So, we can take fractions and convert them
into decimals.
2. Start with converting fractions to decimals. Ask if anyone knows how to go about
converting fractions into decimals. Have students volunteer methods for conversions.
There are two ways to go about this (guide students to these processes):
a. Treating the fraction like a division problem
i. Top number is the dividend (number being divided)
ii. Bottom number is the divisor (number that the dividend is being divided
by)
iii. Top number is typically smaller than bottom number -- add a decimal
point and zero to make the top number bigger
b. Multiply by 10, 100, 1000
i. Find a number that you can multiply the bottom of the fraction by to make
it 10, 100, or 1000
ii. Multiply the top and bottom number by that number
iii. Write just the top number, putting the decimal point in the correct spot
(one space from the right for every zero in the bottom number)
3. Move to converting decimals back to fractions. Ask if anyone has an idea for how to start.
Have students give information on conversions. If they do not grasp the concept, guide
them toward this method:

a. Converting decimals to fractions

i. Write the whole decimal number over 1
ii. Multiply the top and bottom numbers by 10 for every number after the
decimal point (e.g. 2 numbers after the decimal=multiply by 100)
iii. Simplify/reduce
4. Once students grasp the idea about converting fractions and decimals, give directions for
Decimal Name activity:
a. Estimate how much you think your name is worth.
b. Make your name using the decimal grids however you like (one letter per grid)
c. Count the number of shaded squares and write the following beneath each number
grid:
i. Decimal
ii. Fraction
iii. Word form
d. Find the total worth of your name by adding all the decimals together
e. Find the difference between your total and your estimate
Assessment: Students will have met the objective if they are able to complete the Decimal Name
activity accurately and correctly.