Felt Fraction Common Denominators
Grade Level(s):
3-5, 6-8
By:
Upsadaisy
Use of felt fraction shapes to demonstrate the concept of common denominators. (Grades 5-6)
Objectives: - Students will demonstrate awareness of the concept of fraction equivalencies and common denominators.
- Students will correctly write addition equations which represent demonstrated felt board equations.
Materials: Felt board
geometric felt board shapes
chalk board or white board
Plan: - Display the fractional piece ½ next to the fractional piece 1/6.
- What would you call the fractional part which is the sum of these two pieces?
- Take guesses and restate the appropriate equations.
So, ½ + 1/6 = ______?
- Conclude that there is no name for the equation.
- Demonstrate the equivalency 3/6 = ½ by laying the 1/6 fractions over
the ½ piece.
- How many 1/6’s are there in ½ ? (3)
- Okay, 3/6 = ½. Write equation on the board.
- Now we need one more 1/6 piece to add to the 1/2.
- How many 1/6’s do we have in all now? (4)
- Does this mean that ½ + 1/6 = 4/6 ? (yes)
- Write equation on the board.
- Conclude: We express the sum of ½ and 1/6 as a fraction with 6 in
the denominator.
- Provide felt shapes and have students demonstrate equivalencies and sums.
- Ask students to write on paper the correct equations for the demonstrated
fraction equivalencies and sums.
Comments:
I used a standard set of geometric felt board shapes.
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