What is a Fraction?
Students will learn the following concepts about fractions through this lesson plan:
- Fraction is a part of a whole
- A whole can be a single object or a group of things
- Fraction divides an object into equal parts
- Fraction is a number that stands for something
- Fraction is represented with a numerator and denominator
- ¾ 3 represents the numerator, 4 represents the denominator
- Numerator represents the parts, while denominator represents the whole
Fraction Introduction
Teacher writes the number; ½ on the board. Teacher gives each student piece of square paper to illustrate ½. Students work with a partner to try and decide on how to represent ½. Often students have worked with fractions but are unaware of how to calculate or illustrate a fraction.
Next step is for students to illustrate their fraction to the class. The teacher will accept or reject the ideas. Often students are able to show different ways to solve the same problem.
Solutions to the Fraction Problem of Showing ½
- The paper is folded in half horizontally and one half of the paper is colored.
- The paper is folded in half vertically and one half of the paper is colored.
- The paper is folded in half horizontally and cut at the fold. One piece of the paper illustrates ½
- The paper is folded in half vertically and cut at the fold. One piece of the paper illustrates ½
Students need to understand the concept that the piece of paper was a whole and it can be represented by two equal pieces. The two is the denominator and the part of the paper that is colored (one) represents the numerator.
Fraction Key Concept
A fraction is two numbers to represent parts of a whole. The whole may be a single object or a group of objects.
Single object fraction: Pizza
Group of objects fraction: Group of Animals
Single Object Fraction Activity
Teacher illustrates the pizza scenario on pizza day at school. Help students divide each pizza into two equal pieces. It is best to illustrate fractions with concrete materials. If your school doesn't serve pizza have students, make a pizza (real or out of paper) that they will cut into equal parts to illustrate the concept.
Group of Objects Fraction Activity
Teacher gathers an even number of toy animals and decides on a characteristic that will divide the animals into two equal parts. Teacher may divide based on their geographic location, eating habits, or other. It is difficult to see a group of objects as a whole. Before the teacher divides the animals it is important to count the number of animals in the problem. Teacher will stress how a group of things can illustrate one thing such as animals. Teacher will illustrate the division of the animals by picking up the animals and placing them in the correct category.
Independent Fraction Activity
Students illustrate ½ in a variety of mediums. Students will illustrate ½ for a single object and a group of objects. Students will present their answer, to reinforce the concept of fractions to the class.
Fraction Tips for Teachers
- Illustrate one fraction only at the introduction of the topic
- Use a variety of mediums to illustrate the same fraction
- Use real life examples to represent a fraction
- Keep it simple
- Let students teach other
- If students are having a difficult time grasping the concept, revisit it the next day. Sometimes students need time to process the information
- Incorporate the fraction concept into other areas of the curriculum
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