Come up with two numbers, display them to the class on the board and ask each student to write them down. Ask each student to look at the two numbers and count the digits after the decimal mark of each number. For 45.5, there is one digit, and for 19.43 there are two. In total, there are three numbers that occur after decimal points. Students should put this number to the side and look at the two numbers a second time. This time, ask them to erase the decimal point and multiply. In this instance, each student will be multiplying 455 with 1,943. After finding the sum of this number, they should take the three that they put to the side and with the result of the multiplication in front of them, count three spaces from right to left, placing a decimal point in the suitable space. After the result is found, ask students to find a partner. Together they should be challenged to find the sum of double what they have in front of them, using the same method.
Ask multicultural students to form groups. Encourage students to form and interact in groups with peers with whom they are not well acquainted. In these groups, they should then create their own bingo cards. Put together a list of decimal numbers and whole numbers up to 10 and display them on the board. Ask each group to choose 10 of these numbers to use on their card. The card may contain numbers such as 3, 2.6, 1.4 and 10. Once bingo cards have been produced, call out two numbers from your selection at random. For example, you can call 2.6 and 1.4. Each group should then multiply these two numbers, find the correct sum before crossing out the two numbers that were multiplied. The first group to cross out all the numbers on their card wins. Each multiplication should be checked for accuracy. If any are incorrect, the victory is announced void.
The memory game can be modified to include the multiplication of decimal numbers and can be an efficient way for multicultural students to learn. Create a large board with a grid pattern. Cut out an appropriate number of cards and separate them into two piles. On each card in the first pile, come up with a multiplication of two numbers. For example, the two numbers can be 3.5 times 5. On each card contained in the other pile, come up with relevant solutions. In this example, 17.5 would be the matching card. Cards should be placed upside down at random on the grid pattern. Ask students to partner up with a classmate from a different background. Challenge each partnership to find matching cards, remove each match and clear the board of cards in the quickest time possible.
For this game you need a set of flashcards displaying different decimal multiplications. Cut the cards out of construction paper and write down a decimal problem on the front of each one. Gather the multicultural learners in a large circle. Pick out a student and ask him to stand behind another classmate in the circle. Display a multiplication flashcard to the two students. If the standing student answers correctly first, he should move behind the next student, sitting one space to the left. If the sitting student answers first, he should swap places with the standing one. The first student to complete a full circle, wins.