Grade 5 Unit 3 The Wonder of Decimals
This unit immerses children in the fascinating world of decimals and their relationship to fractions and whole numbers. Over 15 days, learners explore place value into the hundred-thousandths, strengthen their number sense, and practice all four operations with decimals. The approach builds from hands-on manipulatives and visual models into abstract problem-solving, with connections to money, measurement, and real-life applications.
They Will:
- Review the connection between fractions and decimals, seeing how decimals represent parts of a whole in another form.
- Extend place value understanding into the ten-thousandths and hundred-thousandths, using grids, base-ten blocks, and games.
- Order and round decimals, learning how moving the decimal point changes a number’s size.
- Add and subtract decimals, aligning decimal points and applying skills to money and measurement contexts.
- Multiply decimals by first using step-by-step whole number strategies, and then by placing the decimal correctly in products.
- Divide decimals by learning the rule of “moving the decimal” in both the divisor and the dividend to create whole numbers.
- Apply decimals to real-world problems, especially money, showing why decimals matter in daily life.
- Record math rules in their learning portfolio, illustrating them with colour and drawings to reinforce memory.
Children discover that decimals aren’t just “smaller numbers”—they are a beautiful extension of place value that connects fractions, whole numbers, and the real world. By the end of the unit, learners gain fluency and confidence in using decimals for computation, comparison, and problem-solving.
This purchase includes one digital curriculum unit with 15 days of lesson plans and 5 days of flexible projects. This unit will inspire you with beautiful images, clear instructions and exciting project ideas.
And that's not all. You will also gain access to the Wonder Hub, which includes supporting documents, videos, resources, and community.
The Wonder of Decimals
Learning Standards
Math
Concept 1: Computational fluency and flexibility with numbers extend to operations with larger (multi-digit) numbers.
Connection: In this unit, your child will learn about decimals, how they are used, and their relationship to fractions. They will work with place values up to the hundredth thousandths. They will compare decimals to fractions, work with rounding decimals, and order decimals. They will add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals and learn about fraction-to-decimal equivalence.
Concept 2: Numbers describe quantities that equivalent fractions can represent.
Connection: Your child can review fractions, specifically equivalent fractions, in their workbook.
Language Arts
Concept: Language and text can be a source of creativity and joy.
Connection: Your child will listen to a story or read independently each day. They will write paragraphs in their learning portfolios and proofread them. They will write out the math rules for each newly learned skill.
Science
Concept: First Peoples' concepts of interconnectedness in the environment.
Connection: Your child is deepening their understanding that everything in our environment is connected. They will decide what they would like to put effort into caring for.
Social Studies
Concept: Identify significant natural resources in your province or state.
Connection: Have your child consider what natural resources are most important to your community's economy. Connect this to the science concept and explain how your child will put more effort and awareness into caring for an aspect of the environment.
Concept: Develop a plan of action to address a selected problem or issue.
Connection: Your child is observing their personal and/or social awareness and developing ways to address areas to strengthen.