This Decimals on a Number Line Activity helps students develop their ability to place, compare, and order numbers with more than 2 decimal places on a number line. The interactive tasks encourage hands-on learning and strengthen students’ understanding of decimal place value through estimation and precise placement.

How to Complete:

1. Task cards can be used in pairs, small groups, or as a whole-class activity.
2. Students read each card and complete the given task, such as plotting a decimal, identifying the closest value, or comparing two decimals.
3. Responses can be recorded using the provided recording sheet, our Number Line Templates resource, or mini whiteboards.
4. Teachers may also set up a large-scale number line in the classroom or outdoors for a more active learning experience.

Extension Ideas:

1. Number Line Challenge: Students create their own decimal number line and add new decimal values.
2. Estimation Task: Before marking the exact decimal, students estimate its approximate placement.
3. Decimal Comparisons: Students plot multiple decimals and explain which is greater and why.

This resource includes 18 task cards, optional matching recording sheets and an answer key. For a simpler activity, use only the first nine task cards and the first recording sheet.

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