Rounding Decimals Math Wheel

Using Graphic Organizers in Math Class

Click to download this free resource!

We know that graphic organizers are not only helpful for organizing information, but they can also be helpful in creating visual cues that help students remember specific information. Using color patterns and graphics also increases student engagement:-)

This math wheel focuses on the topic of rounding decimals. When I have reviewed rounding decimals with my students in the past, they often remember whatever trick or saying they've been taught, but they often can't explain the math reasoning (therefore, I always save any sayings/tricks until after the math concept is understood, if I use them at all).

When using this math wheel, I start with the number lines - looking at the distance between 1 and 2, where 1.5 is, and visually draw attention to the fact that 1.6-1.9 are closer to 2 and 1.1-1.4 are closer to 1. The students write in the labels and then there's space for you, the teacher, to add several examples of your choosing.

Then I move to the benchmarks. You'll see on the completed version, I drew a small number line to create the visual of the space between 1 and 1.1, labeling 1.05 as the half-way point. The same thing could be done for the others, or examples of rounding can be added (like the one below 0.0005).

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Download the free math wheel from tpt.

Students can then do the practice problems all around the page. Above each number is a T, H, or TH, to indicate the place to round to (tenth, hundredth, thousandth).
I have the students color their problems/answers according to numbers that rounded up (my example uses green) and numbers that rounded down (pink), which gives a quick, easy visual to see that they knew which way to round. A closer check will then tell me if their answers are actually correct:-)  
(You can always let them just color the background later, for fun!)

Last, I'll have them add a rule/saying to help them remember.....one that each student creates him/herself would be best. 

I hope you're able to use this math wheel! Let me know if you have any questions:-)

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