Exploring Decimals through Animal Reaction Rates in Year 4 Maths

In their latest maths lesson, Year 4 were introduced to the concept of ordering decimals by comparing their reaction rates to those of different animals. They began by considering how quickly a human reacts, with the average reaction time being 0.18 seconds. But how does this compare to the reaction rate of a sparrow, a rhinoceros, or a dog? The children had the chance to brainstorm and came up with some interesting and thoughtful suggestions.

The lesson took a fascinating turn when the children learned about the animal with the fastest reaction rate in the world, a type of shrimp that can punch with such incredible speed and force that it generates enough energy to create a spark and even boil the water around it! This mind-blowing fact sparked even more curiosity and led to a deeper understanding of how reaction times can vary across different species.

To wrap up the lesson, the children tested their own reaction times, gathering data in the form of decimals. They then used this data to order their reaction times in ascending order, applying their knowledge of decimals and reinforcing their understanding in a practical and engaging way.

It was a fun and interactive lesson, where the children not only practised mathematical skills but also discovered some amazing facts about the animal kingdom!