Investigating fractions with pattern blocks
http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L343
A lesson plan for grades 3–4 Mathematics
This lesson promotes problem solving and reasoning with fractions as students investigate the relationships between various parts and wholes. It also focuses on representation because students are given multiple opportunities to investigate the relative value of fractions. Students use communication skills as they work in pairs to articulate and clarify their understanding of fraction relationships. Illuminations provides an activity sheet and detailed instructions for completing the lesson.
Students will:
- Demonstrate understanding that a fraction is part of a region.
- Identify fraction relationships among pattern blocks.
NCTM Standards and Expectations:
- Develop understanding of fractions as parts of unit wholes, as parts of a collection, as locations on number lines, and as divisions of whole numbers.
- Recognize and generate equivalent forms of commonly used fractions, decimals, and percents.
- Use models, benchmarks, and equivalent forms to judge the size of fractions.
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.
