Mathematics Improvement Project

Stage 3 - Decimals

Have you ever thought about how often we use decimals and fractions each day? We use them when we’re grocery shopping, baking, making purchases, timing at sports events, in the stock yards…and the list goes on. 

Stage 3 has been learning to compare, order and calculate decimals. Next time you see a decimal in real life, take a moment to talk to your child about the decimal. See if your child can relate the decimal to a fraction and place the decimal on a numberline. 

Students can have misconceptions about how to add decimal numbers. The following are examples explored with the Stage 3 teachers in preparation for teaching the decimals unit to their students.

Below are two examples of tasks that require Stage 3 students to apply their knowledge of decimals in different situations:

Place these decimals on the spiralling numberline. What strategy did you use? How do you know you’re correct?