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  • Equal Parts of Fractions – Intro

    Equal Parts of Fractions – Intro

    The concept of fractions as some number of equal parts begins in 1st grade per the Common Core (image below). There are students who struggle with the idea of equal parts and this could undermine student work in subsequent topics. The activity cited in this post is designed to develop the concept of equal parts.…

  • Division of Fractions with Cookies

    Division of Fractions with Cookies

    Division of fractions may be one of the most abstract concepts in middle school math. Here is an approach to address the concept using a Google Jamboard (you can make a copy which allows you to edit it), which would be a foundation for the ensuing steps. I will preface this approach by stating the…

  • Division of Fractions with Cookies

    Division of Fractions with Cookies

    Division of fractions may be one of the most abstract concepts in middle school math. Here is an approach to address the concept using a Google Jamboard (you can make a copy which allows you to edit it), which would be a foundation for the ensuing steps. I will preface this approach by stating the…

  • Online Floating Rulers to Measure Length

    To help students learn how to measure with a ruler, I focus on minimizing the number of tic marks on the ruler at first. The image below shows an excerpt from a WORD document with a halves ruler that I use and an instructional strategy. It also contains a quarters and an eighths ruler that…

  • Making Sense of Fractions – Regrouping with Mixed Numbers

    It is easy to get caught up in the steps and rote memorization when working with fractions. The brain processes information more effectively when the information is meaningful. ADHD makes paying attention to rote memorization of steps even more challenging. Below is an excerpt of work I completed with a middle school student who has…

  • Lego Fractions

    Lego Fractions

    The photo below is courtesy of Robert Yu, Head of Lego Education China, as shared by Jonathan Rochelle, Director for Project Management at Google. The use of Legos shown here is a classic (and wicked clever) example of manipulatives. Before writing the actual fractions students can use drawings as shown below. The sequence of manipulatives,…

  • Sausage Fractions – Real Life Example

    Sausage Fractions – Real Life Example

    I have 3 kids and was cooking sausage for them. There were 5 sausage links available (below). How do I give each the same amount? Fractions! Each child gets a full sausage link. I then cut  the remaining 2 sausage links into 3 parts, 1 for each child. 1/3 of a link.   Each child…

  • Common Denominator – Why?

    Common Denominator – Why?

    We explain steps in great detail to students but often omit the underlying concept. The topic of adding or subtracting fractions with unlike denominators is an example of this.       The example above right is a short cut for what is shown above left. These short cuts, which math teachers love to use,…

  • Example of Using Support Class to Support Current Math Content

    Example of Using Support Class to Support Current Math Content

    I have posted on how to effectively provide support for current math topics. Here is an example (below) of how support can focus on both the current topic and prerequisite skills. For example, on the 22nd in this calendar the current topic is solving equations. The steps for solving will include simplifying expressions and may involve…

  • Fractions! Meaning Making for Comparing Fractions

    Fractions is one of the most challenging math topics. Many high school and college students struggle to some degree with fractions.  The Common Core of State Standards (CCSS), despite all the criticism, includes components to address the conceptual understanding of fractions. Below is a photo showing a 4th grade Common Core standard regarding fractions along…