Exploring FractionsSusan Muir

K-4 Math CoachJanuary 29th , 2010

Discuss with your elbow partner, instances in your professional life where “one half” has significance.

Instructional Strategies: Accessing Prior Knowledge through Connections

The Meaning of One Half

What is a Fraction?Fraction Principles- Exploration and Discussion

Fraction QuantityExploring Part-Whole RelationshipsLet’s Experience a ProblemWhere Do I Go From Here?

Agenda

Fractions are used frequently in real life situations.

Fractions are all Around Us

1.A fraction has a numerator and a denominator.

The denominator tells the total number of equal parts in a whole, and the numerator tells the number of parts accounted for.

Fraction of a Set3 of the 4 balls are soccer balls.3/4 are soccer

balls.

Fraction Principles

2.You have to know what the whole is to say what the fraction is.

Fractions represent parts of the whole. As the whole changes, so does the fraction.

Fraction Principles

3. The equal parts into which the whole is divided are equal but do not have to be identical.

4. Fraction parts do not have to be adjacent.

Fraction Principles

5. The parts of a set or group do not have to be identical.

6. If the numerator and denominator of a fraction are equal, the fraction represents one whole, or 1. Therefore the whole number can be represented as fractions.

2/2, 3/3, 4/4, and so on.

Fraction Principles

7. Fractions have more than one name.

8. Fractions with a numerator greater than their denominator are greater than 1.

7/4 is greater than 1

Fraction Principles

Fraction QuantityArea Models

Set ModelsLinear Models

Exploring Part Whole Relationships

Counting ActivitiesTrading Activities

Find the Whole/Part/Fraction

Three Part Lesson Model

Before- Gains Background Knowledge

During-Explore Activity

After- Show and Share/ Connect and Reflect

Let’s Experience a Problem

Learning Materials http://hoodamath.com/games/fractioneaters.php fraction game http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/ graph maker http://themathworksheetsite.com/numline.html Number line generator http://www.mrnussbaum.com/tonyfraction.htm Pizza Shop ( Michelle Morley’s Website) http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/secondary/mathematics/years7_10/teaching/frac.htm Fraction website with printable resources- using pattern blocks to teach fractions http://www.eworkshop.on.ca/edu/core.cfm Ontario Online Teaching Resource

Planning Outcome-based Lessons

Learning More About Teaching Fractions Workshop Wednesdays

Where Do I Go From Here?