Elementary Math Support Fractions I March 28 th, 2013 Session 7.

Elementary Math Elementary Math SupportSupportFractions IFractions I

March 28March 28thth, 2013, 2013

Session 7Session 7

Let’s Talk About Let’s Talk About Fractions… Fractions…

In your words, what exactly is a fraction? In your words, what exactly is a fraction?

What makes sense to you about fractions? What makes sense to you about fractions?

What is confusing to you about fractions? What is confusing to you about fractions?

What fraction concepts are you most worried about What fraction concepts are you most worried about

teaching?teaching?

Fractional PartsFractional Parts

Big Idea: Fractional parts are Big Idea: Fractional parts are equal sharesequal shares or or equal equal sized portionssized portions of a whole unit. of a whole unit.

On a piece of paper, draw or write as many examples On a piece of paper, draw or write as many examples of fractions as you can…of fractions as you can…

Fractional Parts (contd.)Fractional Parts (contd.) Big Idea: Fractional parts have special names that Big Idea: Fractional parts have special names that

tell how many parts of that size are needed to make tell how many parts of that size are needed to make the whole. the whole.

Ex: thirds require three parts to make a whole.Ex: thirds require three parts to make a whole.

Common Fraction ModelsCommon Fraction Models

Circles, Bars, Pattern BlocksCircles, Bars, Pattern Blocks

Exploring with Pattern Exploring with Pattern Blocks…Blocks…

Determine for each pattern block piece, Determine for each pattern block piece, what part of the whole it represents. what part of the whole it represents.

Use pictures and fractions to represent Use pictures and fractions to represent your findings.your findings.

Hexagon (Yellow)Hexagon (Yellow) Trapezoid (Red)Trapezoid (Red) Rhombus (Blue)Rhombus (Blue) Triange (Green) Triange (Green)

Explore with Pattern Explore with Pattern Blocks…Blocks…

What is a “unit”? What is a “unit”?

Big Idea: A unit can be an object or a collection of Big Idea: A unit can be an object or a collection of things.things.

Thinking about number of parts in a Thinking about number of parts in a whole, and the relative size of those whole, and the relative size of those parts…parts…

Big Idea: The more fractional parts used to make a Big Idea: The more fractional parts used to make a whole, the smaller the parts. whole, the smaller the parts.

Ex: Compare the size of the pieces in the circle Ex: Compare the size of the pieces in the circle representing eighths to the circle representing fifths.representing eighths to the circle representing fifths.

Fraction SymbolsFraction Symbols

What do the top (Numerator) and bottom What do the top (Numerator) and bottom (Denominator) numbers really represent? (Denominator) numbers really represent?

Big Idea: The denominator of a fraction indicates Big Idea: The denominator of a fraction indicates by what number the whole has been divided.by what number the whole has been divided.

Big Idea: The numerator counts or tells how many Big Idea: The numerator counts or tells how many

of the fractional parts.of the fractional parts.

Sharing TasksSharing Tasks

Four children are sharing 10 brownies so Four children are sharing 10 brownies so that each will get the same amount. How that each will get the same amount. How much can each child have? much can each child have?

5 brownies shared with 2 children5 brownies shared with 2 children 5 brownies shared with 4 children5 brownies shared with 4 children 3 brownies with 4 children3 brownies with 4 children

Parts of the Whole Parts of the Whole ActivitiesActivities

Draw a rectangle. Find ¼, 2/3, and 5/3Draw a rectangle. Find ¼, 2/3, and 5/3

If 8 counters are the whole set, how many are If 8 counters are the whole set, how many are in ¼ of the set? in ¼ of the set?

If 15 counters are the whole set, how many are If 15 counters are the whole set, how many are in 3/5 of the set? in 3/5 of the set?

If 12 counters is ¾ of a set, how many counters If 12 counters is ¾ of a set, how many counters are in the whole set? are in the whole set?

Mixed Numbers & Mixed Numbers & Improper FractionsImproper Fractions

Find a single fraction Find a single fraction name for 3 and 2/5.name for 3 and 2/5.

Find the mixed Find the mixed number for 17/4. number for 17/4.

Equivalent FractionsEquivalent Fractions

Big Idea: Big Idea: Two equivalent fractions are two ways of Two equivalent fractions are two ways of describing the same amount by using different describing the same amount by using different sized fractional parts.sized fractional parts.

Demonstrating EquivalencyDemonstrating Equivalency Find more than one way to show ½Find more than one way to show ½ How could we find more than one way to show 2/3? How could we find more than one way to show 2/3? How about 7/8? How about 7/8?

Fraction StripsFraction Strips Fold your paper strip in half. Fold your paper strip in half.

Label this fold: A Label this fold: A A represents ½A represents ½ Fold in half again. Label Fold in half again. Label

these folds: Bthese folds: B What fraction does B What fraction does B

represent? represent? Fold in half again. Label Fold in half again. Label

these folds: Cthese folds: C What fraction does C What fraction does C

represent? represent? What happens if you do this What happens if you do this

sequence one more time? sequence one more time? Tow more times? Tow more times?

Connection Math & Connection Math & LiteratureLiterature

Go, Fractions! Go, Fractions! by Judith Stamper, Grossett & by Judith Stamper, Grossett & Dunlap, 2003 Dunlap, 2003

Apple FractionsApple Fractions by Jerry Pallotta, Scholastic, by Jerry Pallotta, Scholastic, 20022002

The Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar Fractions The Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar Fractions Book Book by Jerry Pallotta and Robert C., Bolster, by Jerry Pallotta and Robert C., Bolster, Cartwheel Books, 1999Cartwheel Books, 1999

Lesson/Activity Look UpLesson/Activity Look Up

Take a few moments to explore what Take a few moments to explore what kinds of lessons and activities support kinds of lessons and activities support understanding of fractions by doing a understanding of fractions by doing a search online…search online…