1. Fractions ELED 6550 Summer 2007

2. Pattern Blocks The Pattern Block Pieces –Green Triangle –Blue Rhombus –Red Trapezoid –Yellow Hexagon –Others Pink Double Hexagon Black Chevron Tan Large Rhombus Square

3. Operations with Fractions

4. Use Benchmarks Develop a conceptual understanding Students think multiply means bigger, and division means smaller.

5. Pattern Blocks Link to Samples and Descriptions http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/RR/databas e/RR.09.95/hanson4.html Virtual Pattern Blocks Applet http://www.arcytech.org/java/patterns/patt erns_j.shtml Activities http://mason.gmu.edu/~mmankus/PBlock s/Fractions.htm

6. Pattern Block Problems Addition Unit = 1 Hexagon Tra + Rho Tra + Tri Tri + Rho 2H2Rho + 1H1Tra 1H5Tri + 2H1Rho Unit = 2 Hexagons 1.1/6 + 1/12 2.3/4 + 1/6 3.5/12 + 1/2 4.3 ¼ + 2 ½ 5.1 1/3 + 1 7/12

7. Pattern Block Problems Addition Unit = 3 Hexagons 1/2 + 4/9 1 1/3 + 1 4/18 Unit = 4 Hexagons 1.1/3 + 1/6 2.¾ + ½

8. Pattern Block Problems Subtraction Unit = 1 Hexagon Hex – Tra Tra – Tri Rho – Tri 2Rho – Tra 1H1Tra – 5Tri Unit = 2 Hexagons 1.2/3 – 1/4 2.1/4 - 1/6 3.2 3/4 - 7/12

9. Pattern Block Problems Subtraction Unit = 3 Hexagons 1/2 - 1/9 1 1/2 - 5/9 Unit = 4 Hexagons 1.1/3 – 1/6 2.2 1/8 – 1 2/3

10. Pattern Block Problems Multiplication Unit = 1 Hexagon 1/2 x 1/3 1/2 x 2/3 1/2 x 1 1/3 x 1 1/2 Unit = 2 Hexagons 1.1/6 x 1/2 2.1/3 x 1/4 3.1/5 x 1 1/4

11. Pattern Block Problems Division Unit = 1 Hexagon Hex / Tra Hex / Rho Tra / Tri Tri / Tra Rho / Tra Unit = 2 Hexagons 1.1/2 divided by 1/4 2.1/4 divided by 1/12 3.1/12 divided by 1/6