Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Teacher Tuesday - Decimal Cards


Today I'm sharing a super simple but CRAZY versatile set of printable cards that I use ALL THE TIME in my classroom.


At the beginning of the year I review decimal operations with my 7th graders before delving into equations.  Several years ago I was looking for something fun and engaging - but still skill based.  A lot of the available decimal resources were geared toward younger kids (for when they learn those skills... not when they're reviewing them) and so rather than just giving them a worksheet with problems I decided to create a set of silly items with made-up pricing and then make games and assignments with the cards. 


I printed these out on card stock, laminated and then cut them out.  I made 10 sets and I keep them stored in ziplock bags in this little container in my cabinets.  


A few ideas on how to use them....

1) Create a worksheet asking students to add and subtract items.

2) Give students a set "budget" and let them "shop".  Have them show the total, change left, etc.  They could even calculate sales tax and/or discount either by hand or with a calculator depending on your curriculum. 

3) If you're practicing multiplication you could ask them to calculate the cost of 2, 5, etc. of a certain item. 

4) If you have younger students you could practice estimation/rounding.

5) Have students write and solve their own decimal operation word problems.

6) Students can randomly pick cards out of the stack and have to perform operations with the random cards.



Sometimes I'll give a set of cards to a pair of students and other times I'll make the assignment more of a scavenger hunt where I'll tape the cards up around the room and they have to go find the items, write the necessary info down on their paper and then go work out the problems. 



If you want to make a set (or sets) for your classroom you can download them (for free!) HERE.  If you end up using them I'd love to hear about it!  And if you have ideas on how else you could use them for math (or other classes!) tell us about them in the comments. 

Also, today on 9/11 I invite you to join me in praying for the families who lost a loved one in the attacks, during the recovery or now, years later as a result of being involved in clean up and rescue.  #neverforget

10 comments :

  1. Great ideas!! I’m contemplating retaking all middle school math classes just so I can have you as my teacher!

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  2. Thank you.
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  3. I HATED math as a kid and every time you post something like this I think of how much more I would have enjoyed it with a teacher like you. You're doing great!

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    1. I was just thinking the same thing! This would have been so much more engaging for me!

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  4. What a great idea...you're so creative. Always a sad day no matter how many years have gone by. Prayers for so many today as we never forget 9/11!!!

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  5. As a fellow middle school math teacher, I appreciate free resources like this!! Thank you!!

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  6. I have a child in Algebra -- and she is struggling. Any recommendations for at home practice we can do to strengthen her / build her confidence?

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  7. Thanks! I plan on using them when my eighth graders review decimals in a few days.

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