Fractions, fractions, fractions

One of the most dreaded concepts by students--and some teachers, fractions is a key piece to better understanding how numbers work.

This post is to share some different resources that might help you as you plan for your fractions instruction.  I have tried to locate a variety: games, enrichment, tasks, and problem-solving.  Please let me know if there is something else you are searching for.  I will be happy to help in the quest.

Let me know if you have questions.  Please share this post with a friend who might find it useful.

E-toolkit:  Our EM ConnectEd component has a great fraction piece to it.  It is worth your time to explore all of the things it can do!  

Battleship Numberline:  Fun practice for 3rd graders on putting numbers on a number line

Slide to the Top:  This game has students place various fractions on a number line.  Can be played with fractions, decimals, or percents.

Dig It:  more practice with locating fractions on a number line.

Fraction Feud:  Students reason about numbers to make fractions bigger or smaller than each other.

Melvin's Make a Match:  a fractions matching game

Greedy Algorithm:  students work to figure out how the algorithm works

Fraction Jigsaw: jigsaw that includes practice of equivalence and addition and subtraction of fractions.

A variety of primary fraction tasks:  these are probably most appropriate for 3rd grade

Ben's game:  Good problem solving activity

Sweettart Hearts:  This 3 act task focuses on 3.NF.1 and 4.NF.4.  3 act tasks give context to problem solving and should be presented in a way which allows students to really explore the problem before solving it.  This notebook file has all of the questions, videos, and links in it.

Do the Dew:  Another 3 act task--this one involves unit fractions and simple addition.  3 act tasks give context to problem solving and should be presented in a way which allows students to really explore the problem before solving it. This notebook file has all of the questions, videos, and links in it.

The apple:  This 3 act tasks focuses on 4.NF.4.  3 act tasks give context to problem solving and should be presented in a way which allows students to really explore the problem before solving it.  This notebook file has all of the questions, videos, and links in it.

Engage New York has some good materials to supplement our Everyday Math study of fractions.  These links just take you to a grade level's page.

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

Do you have any great resources to share? Please feel free to share below in the comments

Rethinking Our Instruction

This TED talk by Dan Meyer has been driving a lot of my learning and thinking lately.  While I worked hard to change my instruction to make it more meaningful for my students, I had not reached the level that he is talking about.  I wish I had.  His discussion and meaningfulness about his instruction inspires me.

I have found some resources from Graham Fletcher which are motivating me to change my instruction.  Would you like to take some steps to change the way your math class works?  Let me know!  I would love to work together for change.

Using Number Bonds

As I am working with students to build number sense and fact fluency, I find more than a few who can become pretty good with their basic facts. For example, a group of firsties I was working with on facts within 10 were becoming quite adept at getting the correct answer quickly and efficiently.  I was so pleased!

But then--we tried a new game.  A game where I gave a target number and they had to look at their cards to see if they had two that could make the target.  I was dismayed to see that there was a significant hole in their fluency.  This skill was really hard for them.  We had used number bonds to break apart numbers, we had played the pennies under the cup game, we had discussed decomposing numbers...but when asked to do it in a new context, these guys had a tough time.

So, I began teaching the concept from this angle.  Starting with the number and breaking it apart and identifying the addends.  We had done it during the beginning of our fact work, but it apparently needed some extra practice.  We are continuing to work on this through games and story problems. I am hoping to see it all making a difference!

Have you tried giving your kiddos a target and asking them to come up with a fact that will get it?  I'd be interested to hear your results.

Number bonds are a great visual to use when teaching decomposition of numbers or part-part-whole.  I have created number bond mats where the kids lay manipulatives out so they can better see the number's decomposition,

You often see number bonds in use for primary grades, but they work well for helping older kids grasp the concepts of expanded form, fractions, multiplication, and division, too!  Consider using them to help cement the idea of part-part-whole.

I created a snowflake number bond page that you can use if you wish.  Share with someone that you think might benefit.

For the Holidays

It's that time of year again....we are busy, our students are busy, and we still have a lot of work to do.  :)

Attached are two holiday SMART documents.  You are welcome to use them in your room as you wish.  Maybe you take a page or two a day...maybe there is only one page that interests you....maybe you want to save them for those final days before break....whatever you choose, I hope you find some use of them.

Each contains a couple logic puzzles.  I like to give kids little manipulatives to help them solve the puzzle, so I made a doc for you that you can print and use if you wish.

Have a great December!  I love being in the classrooms--let me know if you could use anything!

K-2 Holiday SMART

K-2 Logic puzzle images

3-5 Holiday SMART

3-5 Logic puzzle images