Many students struggle with the concept of fractions and it can be difficult to teach because students have many different misconceptions. Some problems can be diagnosed using the following tests:
- a comparisons test with two columns of fractions- ask students to circle the largest fraction or put an equals sign for equivalent fractions
- a number line between zero and 2 – ask students to mark specific fractions on the line.
- Ask students to convert between fractions and decimals
- Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions and the reverse
Next week we will be continuing to learn about fractions by making a poster, “Fractions eight different ways”. Each student will be given a card with a common fraction written on it. They then have to find their partner, by looking for the student with an equivalent fraction. Together, these students create a poster that shows their fraction eight ways:
- As part of a circle, cake, pizza or pie.
- As an array – part of a group of items.
- Written in text (one half, two thirds etc)
- As a decimal
- As a percentage
- Marked on a number line
- Part of a rod or rectangular shape
- With a numerator and denominator
Then, students are asked to write problems to which their fraction is the answer. So, for example, problems with the answer two-fifths:
- We shared two cakes between five people, so we each got 2/5 of a cake.
- There were 15 flowers in a vase. 6 of them were red and 9 of them were white. 2/5 of the flowers were red.
- It is 50km from my house to Warrnambool. We pass through Woolsthorpe on our way to Warrnambool after driving for 20km.
- Two out of five chocolates had hard centres.
- 40% of students at school barrack for the Socceroos.