'Comparing decimals and percentages' tutor notes

The aim of the Comparing decimals and percentages topic area is to remind learners how to recognise equivalencies between common decimals and percentages.

Please let us know what you think of them and the quiz, worksheets and game at skillswise.feedback@bbc.co.uk

How does this tie in with the new curriculums?

• England
  N2/L1.3 - Recognise equivalencies between common fractions, percentages and decimals and use these to find part of whole number quantities.
  N2/L1.6 - Multiply and divide decimals by 10, 100.
• Wales
  As England.
• Northern Ireland
  As England.
• Scotland
  See www.aloscotland.com for details of the Scottish curriculum.

In the Skillswise module you'll find:

Comparing decimals and percentages factsheets
You'll find curriculum references in the bottom left hand corner of the factsheets.
There are six factsheets for this module, on 'print-out-and-keep' sheets:

• Factsheet 1 - A table of common equivalent decimals and percentages.
• Factsheet 2 - Changing decimals to percentages using multiplication.
• Factsheet 3 - Changing decimals to percentages using fractions.
• Factsheet 4 - Changing percentages to decimals using division.
• Factsheet 5 - Changing percentages to decimals using fractions.
• Factsheet 6 - Percentages and decimals glossary.

Comparing decimals and percentages game
This is a pairs game where the learner has to match equivalent fractions, decimals or percentages. At the start of the game the learner can choose to match fractions and decimals, decimals and percentages, fractions and percentages or compare all three. There are three levels within the game, level A the easiest and level C the hardest with more pairs to match.
This game has sound. Make sure the learner turns the speakers on or plugs in their headphones.

TOP TIP! To see the game completely full screen, press the F11 key on the keyboard. This takes away the distraction of the top browser bar. To bring the browser bar back, just press F11 again!

Comparing all 3 quiz
The learner can choose their level. Level A is the easiest, level C the hardest.
Students can print out a certificate if they score 50% or more in the quiz. This will appear as a link on the results page - click on the link and the certificate will appear in a new window. Students can write their name on the certificate once it's printed.

Comparing decimals and percentages worksheets
There are three worksheets in this section. You'll find the curriculum reference in the top right hand corner of each sheet. Each one is a printable resource to carry on the work learners have done online.

• Worksheet 1 - comparing decimals and percentages.
• Worksheet 2 - comparing decimals and percentages using weight (g and kg).
• Worksheet 3 - comparing decimals and percentages using money (p and £).

Technical help:

To get the most out of this topic area you need the following 'plug-ins':

• Flash
  The game in this module uses the Flash browser plug-in. This is free to download and should only take a few minutes. You can follow the BBC WebWise instructions to download it to your machine.
  Find out more.
  If you don't have Flash the same learning points are covered in the quiz and in the worksheets and factsheets.

If you are new to the web, why not try the BBC WebWise online course, Becoming WebWise? It's free, you can do it in your own time from any computer and it will take you through everything you need to know to use the web successfully in your teaching.
Find out more about WebWise.

You can find out more about the technical requirements for Skillswise in our Help - Technical Information section.

Taking it further:

Here's a suggestion of another place on the web that you might find a useful resource for teaching equivalencies between common fractions, percentages and decimals.

• Bitesize
  Bitesize is a site linked to the Key Stage 2 National Tests. In the Percentages section there is an activity, printable factsheet, worksheet and a test.

Do you know of any great online resources for practising comparing decimals and percentages? Tell us about them!

Don't forget to visit Lesson plans and Teaching inspirations for more ideas for teaching comparing decimals and percentages.