Welcome to our Math Program!
Did you know that improving our students understanding of fractions is one of our school improvement goals? Much of the fraction work that your child will be exposed to occurs in the second half of the school year. As we approach the time when these important concepts are taught, you can help us reach our goal of a better understanding of fractions by working with your child at home on these concepts:
- A fraction is less than a whole.
- The numerator is the number on top; the denominator is the number on the bottom.
- Some fractions are equivalent, such as 1/2 and 2/4.
The Math + Science Connection recommends these things you can do to help cement these important concepts:
Point out that fractions are everywhere: The next time you see a sale price (1/2 off), tell time (quarter after 3), follow a recipe (1/4 cup), or read a road sign (3/4 mile ahead), say, “There’s another fraction!”
Play card games: Make a set of fraction cards (see instructions below) and then use the cards to play these games.
Fraction War—Shuffle and deal the cards into a stack for each person. Players turn over the top card at the same time. Whoever has the largest card takes the cards in that hand. If there is a tie, turn over another card until one person wins the hand.
Fraction Race—Deal 5 cards to each players. Each person races to put their fractions in order from smallest to largest. Check the results by comparing the fraction pictures on the card.
Fraction One—The object is to get as close to 1 as possible without going over. Deal everyone a card. On each turn, a player must decide whether or not to take another card. When all players are happy with their cards, turn over the cards. The person who comes closest to 1 or equals 1 wins that round.
Use the Internet to learn:
Fraction Flags (Halves)
Paint a flag to show the required proportion.
http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/fractionflags/fractionflags.html
Melvin’s Make a Match
Put Melvin’s potions in order by matching equivalent fractions.
http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/games/equivalentfractions/index.html
Fraction Monkeys
Drag the fraction monkey to the correct spot on the number line.
http://www.fractionmonkeys.co.uk/
Make Fraction Cards
Make fraction cards for 1/2, 1/3, 2//3, 1/4, 2/4, 3/4.
On an index card, write a fraction and draw a circle to represent it. To draw the fractions, trace around a round object (a jar lid, etc.) so that the circles are the same size.
Divide each circle into an equal number of slices based on the denominator and color the number of slices in the numerator.
For example, write 3/4. Then divide the circle in 4 slices and color 3 slices.
