Fanatical Fractions

Recommended Grade: Primary

Curriculum Expectations (strand):

Number Sense & Numeration & Geometry

Grade 1: use concrete materials to investigate fractions (halves and quarters)

Grade 2: use concrete materials to represent fractions (halves, thirds, fourths, eighths)

Grade 3: use concrete materials to represent fractions (halves, thirds, fourths)

Learning Goal:

Grade 1: We are learning to divide a whole object into equal parts and to compare the sizes of these parts so that we can begin to understand fair sharing.

Grade 2: We are learning how the number of fractional parts of a whole determines the size of each fractional part so that we can understand the magnitude of fractions. We are also learning to regroup fractional parts into a whole.

Grade 3: We are learning to divide whole objects and sets of objects into equal parts, and identify the parts using fractional names so that we can understand how parts come together to make wholes.

Required Supplies:

SketchKit for Dash (additional purchase)
Dash
Blockly app
iPad mini

Instructions or Directions:

1. Code a square (with sides that are 60 cm in length) or rectangle and have Dash draw it.

2. Code to trace over a fractional part (such as a fourth or a half) and have Dash draw it.

3. Extension: Draw a small square. Now, draw a shape for which the area of that square would measure half. Now, draw a shape for which those two parts would be two-fourths of the total area. (Goal: Teacher facilitates that the original square will eventually become one-fourth of the whole. This gives them the opportunity to explore fractions in an open-ended task.)

Reflection Questions:

1. Name the fraction you created.

2. Describe the properties of your shape. (Number or sides, corners, set of parallel lines, etc.)

2. How many parts are in your whole?

3. How did you know how to find that fractional part (fourth, half...)?

4. What other math can you connect this with?

5. When do you use this math at home? At school? In other places?

6. What did you find challenging about this task?

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