Unit 3- Rectangles, Clocks, and Tracks

Activities to Try at Home 

Fractions on a Number Line You and your child can look for examples of number lines (with fractions, whole numbers, or unnumbered marks) such as those on measuring cups, speedometers, gasoline gauges, rulers, and thermometers. Talk together about what the fractions mean or what numbers the marks represent when you use these measuring tools. 

How far? While traveling, ask your child questions about how far you’ve gone or how far you need to go. For example, if you are going to a park that is 4 blocks away, point out when you have gone 21 2 blocks and ask how many more blocks must you go to reach the park. 

Estimating Sums and Differences As you encounter fractions in everyday life (such as cooking or measurement), ask your child questions about sums or differences. For example, if you’re cooking, ask your child if you have enough (sugar, flour, milk) for the recipe; about how much more is needed; what the total number of (cups) of dry ingredients would be.

 How Did You Solve That? As in other Investigations units, students develop several strategies that make sense to them for solving fraction problems. When you see your child using a strategy that is not familiar to you, ask for an explanation. The conversation will be educational for both you and your child.