| Subject
Matter: |
Fractions |
| Grade Level:
|
6 |
| Time Allotment:
|
One 45-minute class session |
Overview
This lesson provides students with practice in using fractions,
including equivalent fractions, reducing fractions and paying attention
to detail. Students will use M&M's to learn how to use
objects to tell when fractions are equal. They will learn that different
fraction names can still refer to the same thing, i.e., 1/2, alias
3/6. The same can be said for a person's name like "Andrew
Smith, alias Andy Smith." It is still the same person to whom
you are referring.
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Define numerator and denominator.
- Define equivalent fractions.
- Convert fractions to equivalent fractions.
- Reduce fractions.
Oregon Standards Available at:
http://www.ode.state.or.us/cifs
Math – Calculations & Estimations
Understand numbers, ways of representing numbers, relationships
among numbers and number systems.
Numbers
- Order, model and compare rational numbers (fractions, decimals
and percentages).
- Determine equivalent forms of fractions, mixed numbers and
improper fractions.
Media Components
Video
Check the link at http://www.opb.org/edmedia/trs/
to find access to the video(s) from unitedstreaming™ referenced in this lesson plan.
- "The Zany World of Basic Math, Module 7: Fraction
Basics" (06:49)
o Clip: "Parts of a Fraction: Numerator
and Denominator" (01:17)
o Clip: "Reducing Fractions" (02:40)
- "Mathematical Eye: Fractions and Percentages"
(20:07)
o Clip: "Finding Fractions of a Whole" (04:57)
Web
Materials
Per Student:
- Fractions Basics Module 7 Viewing Guide (Check the link at
http://www.opb.org/edmedia/trs/
to find access to the blackline master(s) from unitedstreaming™
referenced in this lesson plan.)
- Fraction Basics Module 7 Worksheet (Check the link at http://www.opb.org/edmedia/trs/
to find access to the blackline master(s) from unitedstreaming™
referenced in this lesson plan.)
- Fractions Basics Module 7 Check Your Knowledge Worksheet (Check
the link at http://www.opb.org/edmedia/trs/
to find access to the blackline master(s) from unitedstreaming™
referenced in this lesson plan.)
- Fraction Basics Module 7 Activity Worksheet (Check the link
at http://www.opb.org/edmedia/trs/
to find access to the blackline master(s) from unitedstreaming™
referenced in this lesson plan.)
- Additional Math Web Sites Handout (located at end of lesson
plan)
Per Class and/or Group:
Prep for Teachers
Divide the class into equal groups ahead of time and buy enough
M&M's so each group has at least 12 M&M's. To
be safe, purchase an extra bag of candy as students may need more
later on.
Prior to the lesson, download the video clips you will use for
the class. Make sure you have the latest version of Windows Media
Player installed.
Download and run copies of all worksheets
for each student. The worksheets are in the Teacher's Guide for
the video, "The Zany World of Basic Math, Module 7: Fraction
Basics." (Check the link at http://www.opb.org/edmedia/trs/
to find access to the blackline master(s) from unitedstreaming™
referenced in this lesson plan.)
Reserve the computer lab for your class. Check all Web sites to
make sure the links are working and add them to favorites. Make
sure the free Shockwave and Flash plug-ins are installed on all
computers.
When using media, provide students with a Focus for Media
Interaction, a specific task to complete and/or information
to identify during or after viewing of video, Web sites or other
multimedia elements.
Make sure that students have a working knowledge of fraction reduction
before attempting this lesson.
Introductory Activity
Step 1: Begin class by telling students that a
fraction is a part of a whole. Ask students if they know what a
numerator and denominator are. Explain that they are parts of the
fraction. Give students this memory technique. Tell them one number
is UP above the line and one is DOWN
below the line. Numerator has a "U"
in it, so it goes "Up," and Denominator
has a "D" so it is "Down."
Step 2: Give each group 12 M&M's.
Step 3: Have each group split M&M's
in half. Talk about numerator over denominator: 6/12 = 1/2.
Step 4: Have each group split M&M's
into thirds. Talk about numerator and denominator: 4/12 = 1/3.
Step 5: Have each group split M&M's
into fourths. Talk about numerator and denominator: 3/12 = 1/4.
Step 6: If I had 24 M&M's, how many
would I need to equal 1/2? (1/2 = ?/24)
Step 7: If I had 24 M&M's, how many
would I need to equal 1/3? (1/3 = ?/24)
Step 8: If I had 4/24 M&M's, what fraction
would that reduce to?
Step 9: Show how to reduce fractions.
4 divided by 4 = 1
24 divided by 4 = 6
Learning Activities
Step 1: Give the students the Fractions Basics
Module 7 Viewing Guide and the Fraction Basics Module 7 Worksheet.
Provide the students with a Focus for Media Interaction,
telling them to use the information from the video to attempt to
write definitions for numerator and denominator. Play
the video clip, "Parts of a Fraction: Numerator and Denominator"
(01:17), from the video, "The Zany World of Basic Math, Module
7: Fraction Basics" (06:49).
Step 2: Ask students to share their definitions
for numerator and then denominator. Write the correct definitions
on a whiteboard for all to see and explain why some definitions
might be incorrect and work together to correct them.
Step 3: Review the Fractions Basics Module 7 Viewing
Guide, making sure students comprehend the concepts. Then have them
complete the Fraction Basics Module 7 Worksheet to check their understanding.
Step 4: Play the next video clip,
"Finding Fractions of a Whole" (04:57), from the video,
"Mathematical Eye: Fractions and Percentages" (20:07).
As a Focus for Media Interaction, ask students
to pay particular attention to the strategies the students on the
video use to divide wholes into different fractions. They will be
using those strategies later. Pause the video at
02:07. To check for understanding, ask students to share a couple
of strategies covered in the video clip. You may want to write these
on a place for all students to see.
Step 5: As a Focus for Media Interaction,
ask students to consider the following two questions: "Why
didn't the fractions add up without the extra camel?"
and "Why did Cleo make all the difference to the Arab's
will?" Play the rest of the video clip continuing
from 02:07.
Step 6: As a class, discuss the answers to
the two questions posed. Answers: Nineteen camels do not easily
divide into fractions of 1/2, 1/4 or 1/5 because nineteen only has
factors of 1 and 19. By adding another camel to the bunch, the total
became 20, a numeral which has factors of 2, 4 and 5, so those fractions
could be computed without having to work with less than whole camels.
Continue this discussion until you're satisfied that your
students understand these fraction concepts.
Step 7: Have students use their M&M's
to explore different ways of dividing them up within the group.
Have students begin by dividing the M&M's equally among
the group members. Have them tell you what fraction each member
got. Let them explore and report other ways they could divide the
M&M's.
Step 8: Provide students with a Focus
for Media Interaction and play the final video clip, "Reducing
Fractions" (02:40), from the video, "The Zany World
of Basic Math, Module 7: Fraction Basics" (07:49). Have students
pay close attention to how to reduce fractions. Tell students that
fractions can be different numbers but have the same value. Have
them give a definition of a factor at the end of the clip. To check
for comprehension, ask a few students to come to the front of the
class and demonstrate what they've learned.
Step 9: If need be, repeat the section on factoring,
making sure students understand the concept. Then have students
complete the Fraction Basics Module 7 Activity Worksheet.
Step 10: Now students are ready to test their
knowledge with the Fraction Basics Check Your Knowledge worksheet.
Have students use their M&M's to help them find their
answers.
Culminating Activity
Step 1:
Take students to the computer lab and have them go to one of the
three Web sites listed in the "Web" section above and
try out the fun games. As a Focus for Media Interaction,
ask students to write down three things that they either learned
or better understood through playing these interactive Web games.
Step 2: When they have mastered one game, have
them try the others.
Step 3: Save the last 10 minutes of class for
students to share their lists. You may want to write this on butcher
paper for future reference.
Step 4: Give students copies of the Additional
Math Web Sites handout and ask students who have computer /Internet
access at home to demonstrate their favorite Web site for their
parents.
Cross-Curricular Extensions
English
- Ask students to write a story about another situation similar
to Arab's Will when understanding fractions might help to
solve a disagreement. Share stories with other class members.
Art
- Brainstorm everyday ways you can show fractions without using
pizza as an example. Ask students to create posters to be displayed
around the school showing fractions in real life.
Community Connections
- Take a field trip to the local grocery store and ask students
to collect information about item prices versus the per unit price.
Some stores already have that on their product labels. Once you
get back from the field trip, discuss the value of having such
information computed for them by the store or knowing how to do
it for themselves.
- Bring in someone who cooks to talk to the students about the
importance of measurements in relation to fractions. Have the
person give the students a demonstration using fractions in cooking
-- for instance preparing the recipe for half the number of servings.
Additional Math Web Sites
Below is a list of some fun interactive math games to try at home:
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/mmath/mmath_frac.html
http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/games/equivalentfractions/equivalentfractions.html
http://www.learningplanet.com/sam/ff/index.asp
http://www.illuminations.nctm.org/
You will need to go to "Interactive Math Tools" and
then look for fraction games like "Fraction Pie" or
the "Fraction Game."
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