Communicating about mathematics using games
http://www.nctm.org/standards/content.aspx?id=26872&menu_id=1155
A lesson plan for grades 3–4 Mathematics
Mathematical games can foster mathematical communication as students explain and justify their moves to one another. In addition, games can motivate students and engage them in thinking about and applying concepts and skills. This e-example from Illuminations contains an interactive version of a game that can be used in the grades 3-5 classroom to support students’ learning about fractions.
E-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards of School Mathematics (PSSM). The e-examples are part of the electronic version of the PSSM document. Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math investigations.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Mathematics (2004)
Grade 3
- Goal 1: Number and Operations - The learner will model, identify, and compute with whole numbers through 9,999.
- Objective 1.05: Use area or region models and set models of fractions to explore part-whole relationships.
- Represent fractions concretely and symbolically (halves, fourths, thirds, sixths, eighths).
- Compare and order fractions (halves, fourths, thirds, sixths, eighths) using models and benchmark numbers (zero, one-half, one); describe comparisons.
- Model and describe common equivalents, especially relationships among halves, fourths, and eighths, and thirds and sixths.
- Understand that the fractional relationships that occur between zero and one also occur between every two consecutive whole numbers.
- Understand and use mixed numbers and their equivalent fraction forms.
- Objective 1.05: Use area or region models and set models of fractions to explore part-whole relationships.
Grade 4
- Goal 1: Number and Operations - The learner will read, write, model, and compute with non-negative rational numbers.
- Objective 1.03: Solve problems using models, diagrams, and reasoning about fractions and relationships among fractions involving halves, fourths, eighths, thirds, sixths, twelfths, fifths, tenths, hundredths, and mixed numbers.


