Fractions: Moving Towards a Conceptual Understanding

Teaching fractions sometimes poses some challenges in the math classroom. Just as students become more comfortable manipulating whole numbers, we introduce the world of fractions to them. At first, students might overgeneralize their understanding of whole numbers to fractions. This comes to light when a student incorrectly responds that 1/2 + 1/3 = 2/5. Think about why this would make sense to them?!

Developing a conceptual understanding of fractions is key. Students must see that fractions fit into several categories. Fractions can be part of a region, part of a set, found on a number line, or seen in the area model. Ensuring that students see fractions represented in many different ways early on can help them build a stronger foundational understanding.

Using literature is a way to hook and engage students. Two books I have used to introduce fraction concepts are:

The Hershey's Milk Chocolate Fractions Book

Give Me Half!

After instruction and plenty of modeling, I created an activity for my students to practice representing fractions in a variety of ways. Once students grasp the general understanding, this activity can be used in a math center for students to recycle and review these key skills.

The gist of the activity is to pull a domino from a bag. That domino now represents a fraction. Dominoes are a great math tool and can be differentiated. Look at these once students are comfortable with the traditional set that goes up to 6. Double 12s! Now, students can practice up to twelfths.

The students then roll a number cube and match it to a chart with similar numbered tasks: write the fraction in word form, show the fraction on a number line, or show your fraction as part of a set. Do you have any old stickers piling up? I allow students to use these when making a part of a set. They love it!

The activity can be found in Show, Just Don't Tell: Fractions in my TpT store. 

Here are two other fraction products available that I use with my students. 

1. Here's the Answer...What's the Question ~ Fraction Task Cards. Get students thinking about how one fraction can be represented in many different ways. 

2. Cubing with Fractions: A Differentiated Learning Task to Engage, Learn, Assess. Cubing is a great differentiation strategy. Students can target the same skill but at their own readiness levels.

Check out these previous posts for more ideas when teaching fractions. Grab some freebies!

Order Up ~ Fraction Math Task and Fraction Learner Menu Using Thinker Keys.

What have you found that works well with your students when teaching them fractions?