Written by Charlene Zastrow and Rebecca Stark

Mathematics interweaves whole-number skills in a variety of formats to incorporate the understanding of rational numbers. Building a strong understanding of fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals opens the mind to new roads of mathematics. Usage of these skills brings our everyday experiences to life; there isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t encounter a skill in mathematics. 



Fractions, Decimals, & Percents is an extensive resource that provides a clear understanding of the concepts of fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals. Adapting whole-number skills to rational numbers gives the student the opportunity to experience the command of mathematics. The language of mathematics is precise and the skill of each concept is fully developed with lessons, practice, and motivating story problems. 



Fractions, Decimals, & Percents is divided into three sections: 



Introduction and Review of Concepts 

The lessons in this section present important mathematical concepts and teach students important computation skills. Step-by-step directions and easy-to-understand definitions clearly explain each concept and procedure. This section will serve as a useful reference guide for the lessons in the last two sections. 



Skill-Building Word Problems 

Creative story problems use mystery and humor to hold students’ interest. Each lesson in this section deals with a particular skill, and students are aware of the skill being practiced in each. 



Challenge Word Problems 

These pages add an additional challenge for students who understand all of the concepts and have mastered the computational skills covered in this resource. The same type of problems that were presented in the second section are presented in this section with one important exception—students are not told which skills are involved.
 



Grades 3–5. 



The lessons and activities in this book align with the following Common Core State Standards*: 

CCSS.Math.Content.3.NF.A 

CCSS.Math.Content.4.NF.A,B,C 

CCSS.Math.Content.5.NF.A,B 



Fluently add, subtract, multiply, and divide multi-digit decimals using the standard algorithm for each operation. 

Develop an understanding of number, recognizing fractions, decimals, and percents as different representations of rational numbers. 

Understand decimal notation for fractions, and compare decimal fractions. 

Extend understanding of fraction equivalence and ordering. 

Build fractions from unit fractions. 

Use equivalent fractions as a strategy to add and subtract fractions. 

Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication and division. 

Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators (including mixed numbers) by replacing given fractions with equivalent fractions in such a way as to produce an equivalent sum or difference of fractions with like denominators. 

Apply and extend previous understandings of division to divide unit fractions by whole numbers and whole numbers by unit fractions. 

Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions referring to the same whole, including cases of unlike denominators. 

Solve real world problems involving multiplication of fractions and mixed numbers. 

Interpret a fraction as division of the numerator by the denominator. Solve word problems involving division of whole numbers leading to answers in the form of fractions or mixed numbers. 

Apply and extend previous understandings of division to divide unit fractions by whole numbers and whole numbers by unit fractions. 

Interpret division of a unit fraction by a non-zero whole number, and compute such quotients. 



*Authors: National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers 

Title: Common Core State Standards English Language Arts 

Publisher: National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers, Washington, D.C. 

Copyright Date: 2010