Extension/Challenge:
We started our Fractions unit this week, and will be investigating fractions of an area (e.g., half of a pie), a set (2/3 of 75 people) and a line (3/4 way to Buffalo 200km away). Topics of study will include equivalent and mixed fractions, comparing and ordering fractions, relating fractions to division and decimals, and solving problems related to fractions.
This unit tends to be a challenging one for many Grade 5 students. Most students are comfortable with the concepts related to fractions of an area (e.g., relating to pizzas, pies, circles, etc.) but have a lot of difficulties with fractions of sets.
Here are some suggestions to help students with fractions at home:
- learn/practice multiplication & division facts!
- real life fraction (provide opportunities for students to observe fractions in their everyday life - recipes, fractions of a toy set, 1/2 the distance to school)
- hands on practice (e.g., give students 40 coins or lego and have them find 3/4 of them by physically separating them into 4 equal groups and counting how many are in 3 of those 4 groups).
As always, I will be offering Tuesday after-school help sessions for students who need the extra assistance.
