In the last unit of Math 251, we started fractions, decimals, and percentage. Personally, I think this will be the most helpful unit because partial numbers are always more difficult to think about than whole numbers, or even integers.
The big ideas in this unit are partitioning and unit iteration. We are very familiar with partitioning. For fractions, partitioning is again just splitting the whole unit into equivalent parts. (illustrated below) Partitioning is best used when you start with the whole unit.
Unit iteration is just as useful and common as partitioning, although it's not as obvious. Unit iteration is consistently repeating a unit to build a whole. (illustrated below) This method is best used when you only have part of the whole.
Lastly, the most efficient way to teach fraction names is to say it as: 3/4 = three 1/4 pieces. It's easy to confuse a child by saying fractions like "three out of four" because that is not always the case with all fractions!
I really liked that you explained what partitioning and iteration is. I also liked the pictures you chose to use. They gave a good visual representation of what each one was and how they work. I also liked that you explained why is is better to say three 1/4 pieces because I think if people know the reasoning behind something, they are more likely to do it.
ReplyDeleteDanielle, so far you have a great blog. You kept the information from lecture condensed and focused on the main points of this week. I think your pictures you incorporated into your blog were very useful in visually describing what we learned in class. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great blog! I think it helped me the most because I got to see the pictures in a very simple form. Sometimes fraction pictures can get confusing and not really connect well with the actual fraction itself, but I think you did a good job at that. Also I think the explanation of the partitioning and literation was a good addition to the blog. It is always good to connect all that we have learned together.
ReplyDeleteThis section about fractions is very good! I also agree with you about the area model. It makes multiplying fractions much much easier. The description that you used was also really good. It was easy to understand and well planned out. Your pictures helped a lot because of your explanations after them. I have always had a little bit of trouble doing the mixed numbers fractions and your diagram and explanation made it a lot easier for me to understand.
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