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Decimals to the Thousandths

Fifth graders read and write decimals to the thousandths place — understanding that each place is ten times smaller than the one before — and write them in expanded form.

Grade 5Decimals50 minutes1 class periodGradual ReleaseExplicit teaching4 StandardsCommon Core
Start the Lesson
Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Read decimals to thousandths.
  • ✓Name each place value.
  • ✓Write decimals in expanded form.
  • ✓Understand “10 times smaller.”
Essential Question

We know tenths and hundredths — but the places keep going! What is the place after hundredths, and how do we read a number like 3.427?

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Lesson Phases
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Vocabulary Terms
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Standards Aligned
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Interactive Task
Model · Interactive Tool

Build a Decimal

Project this and set each digit. Watch the decimal build — tenths, hundredths, thousandths — with each place ten times smaller than the last!

🔢 Build a decimal to the thousandths!Try it
ones: 3
tenths: 4
hundr.: 2
thous.: 7

The Lesson · Gradual Release (I Do · We Do · You Do)

50 minutes, five moves

Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.

1

Launch — Past Hundredths

5 min

We know tenths and hundredths — what comes next?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Show tenths and hundredths.
  • Ask what’s smaller.
  • Set the goal: thousandths.

🎒 Student Actions

  • See the places.
  • Wonder what’s next.
  • Predict thousandths.
2

I Do — Each Place, 10x Smaller

10 min

Teacher models.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Name tenths, hundredths, thousandths.
  • Read a decimal aloud.
  • Write expanded form.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Name the places.
  • Read it.
  • Write expanded.
3

We Do — Build Together

13 min

Class uses Build a Decimal.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Set each digit.
  • Read the number.
  • Say each place value.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Set digits.
  • Read it.
  • Say the places.
4

You Do — On Your Own

12 min

Students read and write.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Read decimals to thousandths.
  • Write expanded form.
  • Compare decimals.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Read them.
  • Write expanded.
  • Compare them.
5

Close — Close

5 min

One decimal.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Give a decimal to read.
  • Name each place.
  • Hand out the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Read it.
  • Name places.
  • Complete the exit ticket.
Standards Alignment

Built to the standards you report on

Aligned to the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.

CCSS
5.NBT.3

Read, write, and compare decimals to thousandths.

CCSS
5.NBT.3a

Read and write decimals using base-ten numerals, number names, and expanded form.

CCSS
5.NBT.1

Understand that each place is 10 times smaller than the place to its left.

SMP
MP.7

Use place-value structure with decimals.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Use a decimal place-value chart.
  • Sentence frame: “The ___ is in the ___ place.”
  • Read decimals aloud.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with tenths and hundredths.
  • Use a place-value mat.
  • Read one place at a time.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Compare decimals to thousandths.
  • Round to a given place.
  • Write in three forms.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Projector / board
  • 📐Decimal grids
  • 💻Build a Decimal
  • 📄Place-value charts
  • ✏️Pencils
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

decimala number with a decimal pointtenthsthe first place after the pointhundredthsthe second place after the pointthousandthsthe third place after the pointplace valuewhat a digit is worthexpanded forma number written as a sum of place valuesdecimal pointseparates whole and partsdigita single number symbol
Evaluate

Exit Ticket

Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.

QUESTION 1
What place is the 7 in the number 3.427?
The thousandths place.
QUESTION 2
Write 0.5 + 0.06 + 0.003 as one decimal.
0.563.
QUESTION 3
Which is bigger: 0.3 or 0.03?
0.3 (three tenths is bigger than three hundredths).

Going deeper? Three forms.

Have students write the same decimal three ways — standard form, word form, and expanded form. A printable decimals sheet is in the Math library.

Study · Flashcards

Study the key terms

Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.

🃏 Decimals to ThousandthsFlip
Card 1
Term
Tap to flip →
Meaning
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Nice work!

Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.

📝 Decimals to ThousandthsQuiz
Score: 0
1 / 6
Question 1
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Nice work!

Practice · Worksheet

Printable worksheet

A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.

🖨️ Decimals to ThousandthsPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: decimal, decimal point, digit, expanded form, hundredths, place value, tenths, thousandths
  1. the third place after the point
  2. the second place after the point
  3. separates whole and parts
  4. what a digit is worth
  5. the first place after the point
  6. a number with a decimal point
  7. a number written as a sum of place values
  8. a single number symbol

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. What place is the 7 in the number 3.427?
  2. Write 0.5 + 0.06 + 0.003 as one decimal.
  3. Which is bigger: 0.3 or 0.03?
Answer key — Part A: 1) thousandths · 2) hundredths · 3) decimal point · 4) place value · 5) tenths · 6) decimal · 7) expanded form · 8) digit
Part B: 1) The thousandths place. 2) 0.563. 3) 0.3 (three tenths is bigger than three hundredths).