Overview
Learning decimals is an essential yet complex process for many children. Paper-based decimal squares are a valuable tool, but many children require a more concrete visual.
These decimal cutters were inspired by one teacher’s use of the play-doh fraction cutters when she exclaimed “we need these for decimal squares!” So here they are!
These materials are designed to be used with play-doh (or similar material purchased at the Dollar Tree).
These cutters are designed so that the whole (square) is cut but the partitions are only marked (they don’t go all the way down). Children can then use a play-doh knife (such as one that can be printed here) to cut the remaining way through – thus engaging them in the partitioning task while also providing a physical scaffold.
MakerSpace Files
3D printer version of the files are downloadable here.
The squares include a whole, tenths, and hundredths. The print consumes 20.91 grams and takes 1 hour 11 minutes with a 0.6mm nozzle. The manipulative set costs $0.38 to print (assuming $18 / Kg for filament).
Note: If you have not read the tutorial post on MakerSpace Manipulatives, please do so.
Examples of Use
Comparing Decimals
Many children demonstrate the misconception that visually longer decimals are larger (i.e., that 0.1 < 0.10). One can use the decimal cutters to have children cut out 1 tenth and cut out a chunk of 10 hundredths to compare the size.
More to come…
