100 Bead String Decimal Number Line

I have been working hard with my fourth graders on decimals and decimal fractions.  It was time to work more on putting decimals on the number line.  I have been using 100 bead rekenreks with my first and second graders and I decided to grab one to use as a decimal number line. 

As you can see, we found 0.5, 0.1, and 0.01 on the number line.  I just took the 100 bead string and clipped it to the white board (I am lucky enough to have a magnetic white board in this room!)

The kids were able to find a lot of equivalent decimal and fraction names as well.  Then someone started pointing out that you can multiply the numerator and denominator of a fraction by 10 and come out with an equivalent fraction.  Here are some of their examples

I think this could lead nicely to the class constructing knowledge about how to find equivalent fractions.  It is something we can build off of in the coming weeks.

My next idea is to use a meter stick as a decimal number line.  Great way to connect metric measurement into decimals and fractions! 

I will be posting more next week about how I made the 100 bead strings and how I use them in First and Second grades!  Stay tuned!