Find the Greatest and Least
Focus: Comparing Decimals. Use the worked example and teaching sequence below to explain the reasoning before independent practice.
Use New Numbers to make another set. Choose Worksheet or Answer Key, then use the worksheet’s Print button.
Teaching Notes
Focus: Comparing Decimals. Use the worked example and teaching sequence below to explain the reasoning before independent practice.
Before You Begin
- Read corresponding place values.
Teaching Steps for Parents and Teachers
- Align decimal points.
- Compare corresponding places from left to right.
- Add trailing zeros if that helps.
Worked Examples
Compare 0.7 and 0.65.
- Write 0.7 as 0.70.
- 70 hundredths is greater than 65 hundredths.
Answer: 0.7 > 0.65
Common Mistakes and How to Help
More decimal digits do not necessarily make a number greater.
Compare tenths first, then hundredths if necessary.
Questions to Check Understanding
- Compare tenths first, then hundredths if necessary.
- Which step explains your answer?
- Can you apply the same reasoning when the numbers change?
Practice Advice
Work through the example together. Ask the learner to explain the first two problems, then try three independently. Review the first incorrect step before assigning more practice.
Next Practice
- Use New Numbers to practice the same skill with different values.
- If the learner needs help, return to the example and model each step before trying again.