7.NS.2.d: Convert a rational number to a decimal using long division; know that the decimal form of a rational number terminates in 0s or eventually repeats.

Hands-on Activities

1. Shopping with Decimals

Have your child help with the grocery shopping by asking them to convert the price per pound of items (like fruits or meats) from fractions to decimals. This can help them understand pricing and budgeting.

2. Cooking and Baking

Use recipes that involve fractional measurements. Ask your child to convert these measurements to decimals before measuring the ingredients. This applies their skills in a practical setting and makes the activity fun and educational.

3. DIY Projects

Engage your child in a DIY project that requires measurements. Have them convert measurements from fractions to decimals to determine the correct amount of materials needed, like wood or paint.

4. Sports Statistics

Encourage your child to follow a favorite sports team and track player statistics. They can convert players' statistics from fractions to decimals, enhancing their understanding of sports analytics.

5. Budget Planning

Help your child manage a small budget for a project or a savings goal. They can use their skills to convert fractional amounts to decimals to keep precise track of their finances.

Strategies When Your Child Struggles

1. Visual Fraction Models

Use fraction circles or bars to help visualize the division process when converting fractions to decimals, especially when the child struggles with abstract concepts.

2. Step-by-step Division

Break down the long division process into smaller, manageable steps. Ensure the child understands each phase before moving on.

3. Decimal Pattern Recognition

Teach your child to identify patterns in decimals, such as recognizing when a decimal begins to repeat, to better understand rational numbers.

4. Use of Technology

Incorporate calculators or educational apps that simulate long division, allowing the child to practice and visualize the conversion from fractions to decimals.

5-Minute Activities

Activity 1: Flashcard Drills

Create flashcards with fractions on one side and decimals on the other. Use these for quick review sessions to reinforce the conversions.

Activity 2: Online Quizzes

Utilize online quizzes and games that focus on converting fractions to decimals. This can be a fun way for children to practice and test their understanding.

Activity 3: Role-playing Buying and Selling

Set up a pretend store where prices are in fractions. Have your child play the role of cashier, converting these to decimals during transactions.

Activity 4: Decimal Detective

Challenge your child to find items around the house or in a magazine that involve decimals or fractions and have them convert between the two.

Mid-Year Expectations

By the middle of 7th grade, your child should be able to:

• Students should be able to convert simple fractions to decimals.
• Students should recognize patterns in repeating decimals.

End-of-Year Expectations

By the end of 7th grade, your child should be able to:

• Students should confidently convert any fractions to decimals using long division.
• Students should explain why a decimal terminates or repeats.

Mastery Signs

Your child has mastered this standard when they can:

• Ability to convert complex fractions to decimals accurately.
• Can explain the decimal repetition or termination without guidance.

Questions to Ask:

Ask your child to solve these problems and explain their process:

• Convert the fraction 3/8 into a decimal.
• Describe why the decimal form of 1/6 is repeating.
• Convert 7/25 into a decimal and explain the result.
• Why does the fraction 5/10 terminate when converted into a decimal?