LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Fraction / Decimal Equivalents
ENGAGE (5 min.)
 Review the expectations of working in the outdoor classroom.
 Talk to students about some of the math that was needed to
install their outdoor classroom. Point to the lumber that was
used to build the raised beds. What dimensions would they
estimate it to have? What unit of measurement do they think is
used when talking about lumber? (customary/standard)
Grade
5th
Timeframe
45 minutes
Materials
 Journals and pencils
 Measuring tape
EXPLORE (15 min.)
 Tell students that the lumber purchased is called a “2 by 4” or “2
by 6” “2 by 10” etc. What do the numbers refer to? (inches)
 Ask students to check to see if the name of the lumber is accurate (is it really 2” by 10”).
 Split students into pairs and give each pair a measuring tape. Allow them to work with the measuring
tape in their pairs figuring out the accuracy of the “2 by 10” claim by the lumber company.
 Encourage them to get an accurate measure. If they want to figure out more accurately the true
dimensions of the lumber, see if they can measure the dimensions to the nearest:
1. ½ inch
2. ¼ inch
3. 1/8 inch
4. 1/16 inch
 Roam to check for students’ use of the measuring tape.
EXPLAIN (15 min.)
 Bring students back to a central location to share what they found out. Is the lumber actually “2 by
10inches?”
 By how much is it off? (fractions of an inch?)
1. ½ inch
2. ¼ inch
3. 1/8 inch
4. 1/16 inch
 Write down on a white board all of the different fractions of an inch that the students found when they
were measuring.
 Make sure students record their measurements in their journals as they work.
ELABORATE (10 min.)
 Have the students make a 3 T-chart. Fraction, Decimal, Percent
 With their buddy have them fill out the T-chart based on the fraction that the class came up with.
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www.realschoolgardens.org
EVALUATE
 Have the students compare their T-charts with other groups to determine if their T-charts match.
OBJECTIVES
Math
5.3 The student applies mathematical process standards to develop and use strategies and methods for
positive rational number computations in order to solve problems with efficiency and accuracy.
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www.realschoolgardens.org/lessons