Ask a Teacher |
| Q: My child is having such a hard time learning to add decimals. What can I do to help? A: When a teacher introduces a new concept or skill, she is building on what the student already knows or has mastered. In order to teach a student addition with decimals, the student must first know how to add without regrouping and then with regrouping. (You might know regrouping as “carrying.") Now the student must know how to line numbers up when copying a math problem. Lining numbers up means the numbers in the ones place must be under the numbers in the ones place. The numbers in the tens place must be under the numbers in the tens place and so on. This skill is crucial to have mastered. With all those skills intact, the teaching of adding with decimals can be introduced. First, begin with adding similar decimals such as 5.83 + 9.05 = ?. Look at how many numbers are being added (two). Place that many decimal points on paper one under the other. Write what is on each side of the decimal points starting next to the decimal point and working out. Now add. Once that skill is mastered, then begin adding numbers such as: Put “0” in the places where there are no numbers. Thus the numbers will look like: Writing on paper without lines (using large numbers), or using graph paper (writing one number per square), are also ways to make it easier to line numbers up. Now you can see all the skills that have to be in place for this ONE skill…..adding decimals. |
Nancy has been an educator for 30 years and is
currently a special education teacher. She is the former
Center Director of LearningRx in Little Rock, Arkansas.
She has received local, state, and national recognition
for her development of Downfeld Phonics, a
multi-sensory reading program. Nancy also wrote
curriculum for an educational technology company.
Nancy is a single mother of three children: one with
learning differences, one gifted, and one who has to
work for his grades. Not only does she know what it is
like to teach all these different learning styles at school,
but she has the experience of dealing with all aspects of
each twenty-four seven.
She is the co-author of The Grand Connection: 365
Ways to Connect With Your Grandchild's Heart.
currently a special education teacher. She is the former
Center Director of LearningRx in Little Rock, Arkansas.
She has received local, state, and national recognition
for her development of Downfeld Phonics, a
multi-sensory reading program. Nancy also wrote
curriculum for an educational technology company.
Nancy is a single mother of three children: one with
learning differences, one gifted, and one who has to
work for his grades. Not only does she know what it is
like to teach all these different learning styles at school,
but she has the experience of dealing with all aspects of
each twenty-four seven.
She is the co-author of The Grand Connection: 365
Ways to Connect With Your Grandchild's Heart.
Copyright © 2012 Nancy Downing. All rights reserved.
Photo © Milosb | Dreamstime.com
Decimals: Skills within a skill |
| by Nancy Downing |
296.100
+005.340
+073.928
+005.340
+073.928
