Rational Numbers: Using the 100 Bead String to Represent and Compare Decimals
By Cindy Aossey (KCM) and Funda Gonulates (NKU)
In fourth grade, students develop an understanding of decimals as fractions partitioned into tenths, hundredths, and beyond. In this
video, we use a 100-bead string to represent the whole from 0 to 1 and explore how it helps students visualize tenths and hundredths.
We show how students could use bead strings to locate decimals and compare two decimal numbers, strengthening their understanding of
decimal magnitude and relationships. We discuss how multiple bead strings can create a human number line to represent decimals beyond one.
