This Decimal Number Cards Activity helps students develop a deep understanding of decimal numbers by creating, comparing, and ordering decimals in an engaging and hands-on way. The resource encourages students to explore place value relationships while building confidence in working with numbers with more than 2 decimal places.

How to Complete:

1. In pairs or small groups, students locate the decimal point card and place it in the working space.
2. Using the number cards provided, students create the largest decimal number possible. Teachers may add extra rules, such as requiring a certain number of decimal places or setting a maximum place value.
3. Students compare their numbers within their group and, as a whole class, arrange them from smallest to largest.
4. Repeat the task by asking students to create the smallest possible decimal number.

Extension Ideas:

1. Ordering Challenge: Students create multiple decimal numbers and arrange them in ascending or descending order.
2. Decimal Rounding Game: Students create a decimal number and round it to the nearest tenth, hundredth, or thousandth.
3. Mystery Number: One student secretly creates a decimal number, and their partner asks yes and no questions to determine what it is.

This resource includes number cards and an optional differentiated place value grid template to support student learning.

This resource is part of our Year 5 Maths Unit – Decimals: Tenths, Hundredths & Thousandths.