Unit I: Basics of Fractions
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Unit I: Basics of Fractions
Lesson 1: Intro to Fractions
Lesson Notes
Start teaching fractions using plain pieces of paper. Tear strips of paper with equal area. One piece can be labeled 1 whole. Take the second piece and fold it in half, along the middle. This is now two pieces, each being one out of two or one-half. The whole piece adds to one whole. Carefully fold the outer ends of the third piece in on each other, where you will make three equal pieces. This makes three equal pieces, each being one-third. All three pieces will add up to one-whole, again. Now fold the paper in half and then in half again, making four equal pieces. Each piece is one out of four, or one-fourth. Students should notice that two one-fourths is the same as 1 one-half. You can continue to fold paper to make other fractions and have students look for patterns or equivalent fractions. If you have access to thing like fraction tiles or blocks, these can also be helpful in teaching fractions.
Objectives
- Students will create fractions using paper strips.
- Students will use manipulative to identify fraction sizes.
Task I
Watch the Fractions with Paper Strips on EdPuzzle that is connected to our google Classroom Page so I can get formative assessment. If you have not yet joined our class, you may use the link: Lesson I Video I
Task II
Watch the Fractions Towers video on EdPuzzle that is connected to our google Classroom Page so I can get formative assessment. If you have not yet joined our class, you may use the link: Lesson I Video II
Lesson 2: Visualizing Fractions
Lesson Notes
Fractions are just numbers. They are numbers that can be put on the number line. The biggest challenge with fractions is that students need a strong foundation in number sense to build a strong fraction number sense. One thing that is difficult for students is that there are an infinitely many equivalent fractions for a given fraction. But if we convert any of those fractions to decimals, then they will all have the same decimal equivalent. Another difficulty is understanding why and how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions. This is where hands-on manipulatives can be extremely helpful.
Objectives
- Students will understand that fractions are numbers on a number line.
- Students will develop a deep number sense that connects with fractions.
Task III
Watch the Fractions on a Number Line on EdPuzzle that is connected to our google Classroom Page. If you have not yet joined our class, you may use the link: Lesson II Video I
Task IV
Watch the Fraction Rectangles on EdPuzzle that is connected to our google Classroom Page. If you have not yet joined our class, you may use the link: Lesson II Video II
Lesson 3: Equivalent Fractions
Lesson Notes
Fraction towers are a good way to show equivalent fractions. Students can visually see and hold fractions that are equivalent if they form the same size or height as the original fraction. Once student are comfortable finding equivalent fractions with the blocks, this can be a good time to dig into adding and subtracting fractions. When adding fractions, guide the students into putting the fraction blocks or tile together since this is what we do with addition. Try to have students answer what the answer should be. They should identify that because the blocks are different sizes, that they cannot just add the fractions. This is a good time to make the connection with place value. If a student has 1 ten dollar bill and another has 1 twenty dollar bill, do they have a combined twenty dollars or a combined hundred dollars. Student should see that even though they each have one of something, they cannot add the fractions together because they are not the same-they are different sizes, just like students cannot add different place values together.
Objectives
- Students will understand why and how fractions are equivalent.
Task V
Watch the Equivalent Fractions Using Models EdPuzzle that is connected to our google Classroom Page. If you have not yet joined our class, you may use the link: Lesson III Video I
Task VI
Watch the Equivalent Fractions by Multiplying by 1 EdPuzzle that is connected to our google Classroom Page. If you have not yet joined our class, you may use the link: Lesson III Video II
Task VII
Quiz I
Now that you have completed this Unit, please take the summative assessment using Quizizz using code: 462412
Task VIII
Writing Journal
Now write in your journal what you have learned from this unit. Be sure to reflect on what you learned and what questions you might have. Try creating your own fraction strips and start drawing fraction rectangles and see if you can make equivalent fractions, too.