1. Bridging the Gap: Using Interactive Computer Tools to Build Fraction Schemes By: John Olive Article Critique By: Leonora Spyros

2. Overview Audience is for teachers in the third or fourth grade level Illustrates an approach to constructing fraction concepts that builds on children’s whole-number knowledge using specially designed computer tools Bridging the gap between whole number and fraction knowledge Creates a better understanding of fractions using Tools for Interactive Mathematical Activity (TIMA)

3. Key Points TIMA sets –TIMA: Sticks Construction of Fractional Schemes –Fractions as iterable connected numbers –Partitioning and iterating operations –Using different episodes Common and Improper Fractions

4. Strengths Easy reading and easy to understand Interesting and practical Good ideas for the classroom Interactive Helps students improve on fractions by using TIMA: Sticks Website given in order to be able to use the TIMA sticks by downloading them

5. Weaknesses No standards were referred to in the article The website downloads did not work Only concentrated on TIMA: Sticks –Could have showed examples of bars, and toys

6. Implementation in Classroom Having the students use the TIMA programs to help understand fractions TIMA is a great resource for building fraction schemes Using whole number multiplication to find appropriate stick Bridge whole numbers to fractions –Applying prior knowledge to new knowledge

7. Works Cited Olive, John. “Bridging the Gap: Using Interactive Computer Tools to Build Fraction Schemes.” The National Council of Teachers Mathematics, Inc. 2002. National Library of Virtual Manipulatives