Beacon Lesson Plan Library
Introduction to Fractions
Jennifer Catlett
Bay District Schools
Description
This lesson is intended to introduce the students to fractions.
Standards
Florida Sunshine State Standards
MA.A.1.2.3
The student understands concrete and symbolic representations of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents in real-world situations.
Florida Process Standards
Information Managers
01 Florida students locate, comprehend, interpret, evaluate, maintain, and apply information, concepts, and ideas found in literature, the arts, symbols, recordings, video and other graphic displays, and computer files in order to perform tasks and/or for enjoyment.
Effective Communicators
02 Florida students communicate in English and other languages using information, concepts, prose, symbols, reports, audio and video recordings, speeches, graphic displays, and computer-based programs.
Numeric Problem Solvers
03 Florida students use numeric operations and concepts to describe, analyze, communicate, synthesize numeric data, and to identify and solve problems.
Critical and Creative Thinkers
04 Florida students use creative thinking skills to generate new ideas, make the best decision, recognize and solve problems through reasoning, interpret symbolic data, and develop efficient techniques for lifelong learning.
Materials
-Computer
-Student online lesson -Fabulous Fractions - located at http://www.beaconlc.org/work/lessons/rrussell/franknfran/page1.htm
-Mathews, Louise. Gator Pie. New York: Sundance, 1995, ISBN: 076080005
-Paper
-Crayons
-Math Journals
Preparations
Check the Internet stations to verify connectivity
Gather the following materials together:
Paper
Crayons
Math Journals
Procedures
The students will understand the concrete and symbolic representations of fractions in real-world situations.
Procedures:
Ask. You and your best friend go to the store. Your friend buys your favorite candy bar and tells you that you two will share it. How can you equally split this candy bar so that you both get equal portions?
1. Read and discuss the book "Gator Pie" by Louise Mathews. Discuss the parts of a fraction (numerator and denominator).
2. Give each student several pieces of paper (8 1/2 x 11) and crayons.
3. Instruct the students to fold the paper into 4 equal parts and demonstrate.
4. Ask the students to unfold their papers and to color just one (1) part out of the four (4) parts.
5. Ask the student to tell you how many pieces the paper is divided or split into. (4) Ask the students how much is colored. (1) Write the fraction on the board and discuss both the numerator and the denominator. (1/4)
6. Do the above activity using various fractions. (Examples: 1/2; 3/4; 2/4...)
Wrap-up:
1. Assign the Student Online Lesson "Fabulous Fractions" to be completed during the students' assigned computer time.
2 Discuss items that you commonly divide, share, or split. (pizza, pie, cookie candy, etc,,,)
3. Math Journal entries. Have each student draw squares and complete the following fractions showing 1/2 and 2/4.
Assessments
The students will demonstrate understanding by completing the assigned fractions in their math journals and giving a real-world example of their choice with an explanation of what that fraction means.
Formative Assessment: The students will demonstrate understanding by correctly completing the assigned fractions in their math journals. Check the math journals for understanding ( i.e... shading and dividing the square into parts, and explaining what the real-world fraction means).
Web Links
This is a direct link to the first page of the Beacon interactive Student Web Lesson. It contains graphics and it is suggested that you open it prior to students coming to class, so as to avoid the download time making students have to wait. Frank and Fran's Fabulous Fractions
The book Gator Pie can now be found at the following link: www.BigStory.us
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