Comparing and Ordering Decimals

Have you started teaching your students about the concept of a decimal? This is a monumental step in your student’s understanding of numbers. For quite a long time, they have been focused on whole numbers, but now they may be learning about numbers that appear to the right of the decimal point.

This instructional slide deck can teach your students to compare decimals and order them from greatest to least or least to greatest. Within this slide deck, students are presented with two different options to compare and order decimals:

• With a place value chart
• Using a number line

Students are guided through how to compare and order decimals with each method.

Through this activity, students will show they can compare two decimals to the tenths place by reasoning about their size. Additionally, students will recognize that comparisons are valid only when the two decimals refer to the same whole. 

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your math lessons. 

In addition to individual student work time, use this instructional slide deck covering decimals to enhance learning through guided math groups, whole-class lessons, or remote learning assignments. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

Help students who need support by chunking up the slide deck. Consider teaching these students how to compare decimals with a place value chart while allowing them to practice this method. When students are ready, introduce how to use a number line to compare and order decimals.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

For students who are ready for a challenge, consider giving them decimals to the hundredths and thousandths place to compare and order. Students can use the same methods (place value chart and number line) to help them with their comparisons.

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the Download button to access this resource’s editable Google Slides version.

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This resource was created by Lauren Blankenship, a teacher in Florida and Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities and resources that cut down on lesson planning time:  

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