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Fractions (Strategies)o When teaching fractions, the teacher models (with concrete objects) how to compare fractional parts with one item and then the students compare the fractional parts.
- Some concrete items to use to solve fractions include: Fraction pieces (circles, half-circles, quarter-circles, etc.), Fraction strips (strips of tag board one foot in length and one inch wide, divided into wholes, 1/2s, 1/3s, 1/4s, etc.), or Fraction blocks or stacks. Blocks/cubes that represent fractional parts by proportion (e.g., a “1/2” block is twice the height as a “1/4” block) o Next, teach students to represent fractions and to label the parts of the fraction § Students fold strip of paper in a number of equal parts § Darken the line along each fold § Ask students if each fold is equally sized. If they agree, explain and label the number of sections as the denominator o Have them shade in a certain number of sections and call them the numerator o Display the fraction just made and explain the parts as numerator and denominator. o Have students create more fraction strips followed by other physical representations of fractions o Show students how to identify the magnitude of fractions (Use CRA) § Compare student-made fraction strips to pre-created one § Show students how to order them from least to greatest, starting with fractions between 0 and 1 until mastery and then expand the concept of fraction to mixed fractions. o Teach students to identify fractions with physical items § Use a block to represent a whole. § Have students estimate by visual inspection the fraction that is represented by other shapes. |
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