Students in third grade have a difficult time conceptualizing fractions when comparing them and when creating equivalent fractions. We have circular fraction tiles but when students need to make the relationship from physically moving the fractions to beginning to draw them (as necessary in the progression of understanding) students struggle to do so because drawing fraction circles to support their learning is so difficult. Instead these fraction strips are magnetic (which is great for not losing them) but allow students to tie the physical to being able to draw fraction bars and make the connection. The strips are color coded and break a whole into halves, thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths, eighths, tenths, and twelfths. Students can build comparisons, create equivalent fractions, and use them as a resource during independent games, to support answering questions, or to explain their conceptual understanding. The strips, compared to circle fractions, also allow them to build greater fluency in the concept. Students moving into fourth and fifth grade can then have a better progression as well because they can use the tiles to support addition and subtraction of fractions with a concrete model that they have already been familiarized with.
As stated, I think that the benefits of this tool are for deeper understanding and will directly support the progression and alignment of common core standards from 3rd to 5th grade. Students will be able to create connections in fraction concepts because their tool aligns to models they create on their own, and eventually standard algorithms.
This request is not for a program but for a tool. The success will be measured in daily formative assessments at specific grade levels, during intervention supports where students can use them more deeply with support, and during unit summative assessments and state assessments. I have personally used this tool in the past with fifth grade students and found that they could quickly make the leap from model to algorithm because the fraction strips made a clear picture in their head.
The use of the fraction strips would be implemented immediately. Students would have hands-on experience during math centers, within whole group and small group instruction, and independently when applying understanding. Students would also be able to share these strips across grade levels.
Yes, definitely! This is a resource that teachers may use to instruction, students can pull as a resource as needed, and one that can be applied to multiple common core concepts and therefore their use would be necessary within our vertical alignment.
I ordered 15 because we don't need a whole class set. These are a supporting tool for students learning and investigation.
I have the URL for amazon listed. They are searchable as Learning Resources Magnetic Rainbow Fraction Tiles