Rational Numbers: Using the 100 Bead String to Explore Decimals
By Cindy Aossey (KCM) and Funda Gonulates (NKU)
In fourth grade, students are expected to develop the understanding that decimals are a specific type of fraction, where the whole is partitioned into tenths, hundredths,
thousandths, etc., and that they can be represented using place value notation or fraction notation. When these abstract ideas are presented through concrete and visual models,
students can develop a deeper understanding. In this video, we introduce the 100 bead string as a tool to support students in developing a clear, visual understanding of tenths
and hundredths. By using the structure of the bead string, we show how these parts are organized and how they relate to one whole creating a meaningful bridge to representing
decimals on the number line. This approach strengthens students' ability to reason about decimal magnitude and relationships.
