One effective way to learn decimal basics is through the building blocks method, which uses blocks to represent place values like tens, ones, tenths, and hundredths. This method helps students visually understand how decimals are parts of a whole and relate to larger numbers.
In the building blocks method:
- Tens and Ones: Blocks representing tens and ones show whole numbers. For example, a “10-block” represents 10, and a “1-block” represents 1. This helps students understand whole numbers before introducing fractions of a whole.
- Tenths: A “0.1” block (tenths block) shows a piece of a whole divided into ten parts. Stacking ten tenths blocks is visually equivalent to 1 whole.
- Hundredths: A “0.01” block (hundredths block) represents a whole divided into one hundred parts, helping students understand very small decimal values. Stacking ten hundredths blocks equals one tenth, and one hundred hundredths blocks equals one whole.
Many online games use this building blocks method, allowing students to drag and drop blocks to form decimal numbers. For instance, they can create 1.25 by dragging over one “1-block,” two “0.1 blocks,” and five “0.01 blocks.” These interactive games make learning decimals engaging and reinforce place value visually.