Monday, September 14th, 2009

Today in Math, we discussed TEKS 5.2A, which addresses fractions. The TEKS is read : The Student Will... generate a fraction equivalent to a given fraction such as 1/2 and 3/6, or 4/12 and 1/3

To introduce fractions we discussed the two parts of a fraction, the numerator (the part at the top) and how it told us the part of the problem that we are looking for in the problem, and the denominator (the part at the bottom) and how it tells us the total number of parts that the whole is divided into. It is important for our students to remember that fractions represent EQUAL parts of a whole, not just parts.

We created equivalent fraction parts using construction paper. We had a red sheet which represented our WHOLE, a Orange sheet which represented HALF (1/2), a Green sheet which represented FOURTHS (1/4), a Yellow sheet which represented EIGHTHS (1/8), and a yellow sheet which represented SIXTEENTHS (1/16). We did a lot of discussion comparing the fractions. We discussed how the denominator in each told us how many pieces were equal to the whole RED, and then we discussed and compared the colored sheets to each other. For example, the Green 1/4 is equal to 1/4 of the Red, but it is 1/2 of the 1/2, and the Yellow is 1/8 of the Red, 1/4 of the 1/2 and 1/2 of the 1/4. Lastly, we discussed how the 1/16 is 1/16 of the red, 1/8 of the 1/2, 1/4 of the 1/4 and 1/2 of the 1/8. I gave them a sheet protector to keep these pieces in. We will be creating similar pieces tomorrow for 1/3, 1/6, 1/9 and 1/12 using Pink, Purple, Black and White paper.

These fraction pieces are good manipulatives for you to study with at home and review your students, and for them to use to aide them with their homework practice problems. I also will be sending flash cards home with some students, they will keep them for two weeks, and I will then rotate them to a new student. We still have several students who do not know their basic multiplication facts, and they are only going to continue to struggle, until these become a part of memory, everything we do this year will build on that one element.

In SCIENCE, we began our Terrarium/Aquarium (Ecosystems) project today. We discussed how a terrarium was a land habitat, and an aquarium was a water habitat. That the prefix terra- means land and aqua- means water; and how they can help us figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words. We will be continuing this experiment both tomorrow and Wednesday.