Percentages & Decimals Word Problems (Unit 1) | Habit-Based Maths Routine (Atomic Habits) | Upper Primary (UK Y5–Y6 + Barbados)

Do your pupils understand percentages and decimals — but freeze when it’s inside a word problem?

This resource solves the common issue where pupils:

• struggle to identify the whole (100%)

• choose the wrong operation when the maths is “hidden” in the text

• skip modelling and lose confidence after one mistake

The solution: a repeatable “decode + solve” routine inspired by Atomic Habits:
READ → CIRCLE → BOX → LABEL → MODEL → SOLVE → CHECK
A consistent cue, clear steps (response), meaningful contexts (craving), and quick wins via exit tickets (reward).

What’s included

Print + Editable (PowerPoint) • Colour + Black & White • A4 + US Letter

Teacher materials

• Teacher guide (habit routine + modelling)

• 5-day lesson sequence (70–80 mins)

• Day 1 fully scripted lesson (exact teacher talk)

• Days 2–5 semi-scripted guide (timings + key prompts + misconceptions)

• Teacher Prompt Card (printable quick-reference)

Student materials

• Strategy mat + anchor charts

• Differentiated worksheets (Support/Core/Challenge)

• Exit tickets (5)

• Answer keys

Differentiation

• Support: scaffolded steps, smaller numbers, guided modelling

• Core: mixed one-step and multi-step problems

• Challenge: reasoning/justification and deeper problem solving

Curriculum fit

Suitable for UK Upper Key Stage 2 (Year 5–6) and Barbados Upper Primary, with many Caribbean/Barbadian contexts (not all).

Created by Katrina Beresford • Beresford Books