Lab Director Teacher Guide
Lab Director
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Grade Level
5th Grade
MISSION OBJECTIVE
Students will convert decimals to fractions (tenths and hundredths) and simplify them to their lowest terms. This aligns with CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.NBT.A.3.
LAB SCHEDULE (45 MINS)
5 MIN
Warm-up: Place Value Detectives
Reading decimals using place value names (e.g., "four tenths").
10 MIN
Visual Analysis: Video Viewing
Guided viewing of conversion and simplification steps.
25 MIN
Main Activity: Simplification Stations
Pair work using Specimen Cards and Lab Reports.
5 MIN
Closure: Final Code Exit Ticket
Solo assessment converting 0.8.
MISCONCEPTIONS
- Stopping at the initial fraction without simplifying.
- Forgetting that hundredths require a denominator of 100.
- Dividing only the numerator or denominator by a factor.
MATERIALS
- • Fusion Slide Deck
- • Lab Report Worksheet
- • Specimen Cards
- • Exit Code Tickets
VIDEO DISCUSSION ANCHORS
Pause at 0:15 (After 6/10)
"Is this the final answer? Why or why not?"
Goal: Prompt discussion on "simplest form" requirement.
Pause at 0:58 (After 24/100)
"Predict: What number can we use to divide both 24 and 100?"
Goal: Check divisibility rules knowledge (even numbers, divisibility by 4).
Choice of Divisor (1:05)
"Could we have divided by 2 instead of 4? What would happen?"
Goal: Discuss multi-step simplification vs. finding the Greatest Common Factor (GCF).
MASTER LAB KEY
Specimen Analysis
| Decimal | Initial | Factor | Final |
|---|
| 0.5 | 5/10 | 5 | 1/2 |
| 0.2 | 2/10 | 2 | 1/5 |
| 0.25 | 25/100 | 25 | 1/4 |
| 0.12 | 12/100 | 4 | 3/25 |
| 0.4 | 4/10 | 2 | 2/5 |
| 0.75 | 75/100 | 25 | 3/4 |
Exit Code Key
Decimal: 0.8
1. Read: "Eight tenths"
2. Fraction: 8/10
3. Factor: 2
Final Answer: 4/5
Fusion Slides Deck
Decimal Lab: Session 01
FRACTION FUSION
Converting and simplifying specimens with precision.
Mission Briefing
1 LAB OBJECTIVE
Convert decimal specimens into fractions and simplify them to their lowest terms.
2 VOCABULARY
Tenths
10 in denominator
Hundredths
100 in denominator
Lab Schedule
- Place Value Detectives
- Visual Analysis (Video)
- Simplification Stations
- Final Exit Code
Place Value Detectives
Read these decimals aloud using their "Real Lab Names"!
0.4
Specimen Alpha
0.75
Specimen Beta
0.8
Specimen Gamma
Pro-Tip: Use the word "Tenths" or "Hundredths" instead of saying "point"!
Laboratory Observation
Live Feed
Embedded media
Watch closely: Note how the narrator names each place value.
Observation Check
The decimal 0.6 becomes 6/10.
Is this the final answer? Why or why not?
Convert
Simplify?
Final Result
Hypothesis Time
Laboratory Prediction Phase
Input
Decimal Specimen
0.24
24/100
"Predict: What factor can we use to divide both 24 and 100?"
2?
4?
10?
Simplification Stations
Field Work: Pair Investigation
1
DRAW CARD
Select a Specimen Card from your station pile.
2
FUSE FRACTION
Convert the decimal and find a common factor.
3
LAB REPORT
Record the simplest form on your worksheet.
25 MINUTES ON THE CLOCK
The Final Code
Exit Ticket Protocol
Convert & Simplify:
0.8
Submit your findings before exiting the lab!
Lab Report Worksheet
Lab Report
Department of Decimal Research
Scientist Name
Mission Date
Warm-up: Place Value Detectives
Specimen Alpha: 0.4
Say: ________________
Specimen Beta: 0.75
Say: ________________
Specimen Gamma: 0.8
Say: ________________
Main Activity: Simplification Stations
Protocol 5.NBT.A.3
| 1. Specimen | 2. "Say It" (Word Form) | 3. Initial Fraction | 4. Common Factor | 5. Simplest Form |
|---|
| #1 | | ___ / ___ | ÷ ___ | |
| #2 | | ___ / ___ | ÷ ___ | |
| #3 | | ___ / ___ | ÷ ___ | |
| #4 | | ___ / ___ | ÷ ___ | |
| #5 | | ___ / ___ | ÷ ___ | |
| #6 | | ___ / ___ | ÷ ___ | |
Investigative Insight
How do you know when a fraction is in its simplest form? Explain your testing method below.
Fraction Fusion Protocol v1.0
