Do All Fractions Fit on a Number Line?

RSS Mini Conference

2013-2014

Candyce Tracy

Outcomes

• Learn something NEW…….. preferably about fractions.

• Leave curious about what the new standards expect in terms of fractions instruction.

Is ½ always equivalent to ½?Talk with your partner about this question?

Sharing BrowniesHow can I cut the brownie so that two people can have equal shares?

Sharing BrowniesPlease fold into the following equal

piecesLabel each piece with the fraction

name• 4 equal pieces• 8 equal pieces• 3 equal pieces• 6 equal piecesCut apart each equal piece

Ordering FractionsOrder these unit fractions from

smallest to largest with the smallest over to the left and the largest over

to the right.

How does this task build understanding of

fractions?

How can you apply this understanding to a

number line?

Fraction Game• Use a sticky note to represent the whole

numbers on your number line?• Shuffle fractions cards• Turn over 5 fractions cards (not using

percents)• Determine with your group where you

would place these numbers on your number line.

• Record in your journal• After 1st round, turn over 10 cards

Identify fractions between fractions

For each fraction pair find 3 fractions using at least 2 different strategies

⅛ and ¼¼ and ⅕¼ and ⅓

Fractions on a number line

18/100

147 first year elementary majors

• Only 24% knew that there was an infinite amount of numbers between ¼ and ⅕.

• 43% claimed that there are no numbers between ¼ and ⅕ and

• 30% claimed that ⅕ is the successor to ¼

Reasoning about magnitudeAunt Sally has a jar that holds one cup

of liquid. Her salad dressing recipe calls for 2/3 cup of oil, 1/8 cup of

vinegar, and 1/4 cup of juice.Is the jar large enough to hold all the

oil, vinegar, and juice?

Give a rough estimate of the values represented by points A and B on the number lines below.

1

1

A

B

By comparing fractions, students come to understand them as something more—

numbers that have magnitude.

Density – between any two rational numbers we can find a third rational number. This

property leads to the fact that between any two rational numbers, no matter how close, there are infinitely

many other rational numbers.

Rational numbers allow us to gain as much precision as we

desire.

Reflection of Session

Please use an index card1) Something you learned

2) A Question you still have

3) How can I better facilitate your learning?