by Michael Nicoloff | Jun 4, 2019
What Makes Fractions So Difficult? There’s something weird about fractions. If the numerator, which is the top, is the same, the bigger the denominator the smaller the fraction. – Jordan, Grade 5 student Like Jordan, many students feel that “there’s something...
by Michael Nicoloff | Jun 4, 2019
Fractions Task 1Task 1 : Estimate the answer to 12/13+ 7/8. You will not have time to solve the problem using paper and pencil.A) 1B) 2C) 19D) 21 Discussion Questions: How did you solve the problem, and how might students solve the problem? What insights into...
by Michael Nicoloff | Jun 4, 2019
Fractions Task 3Task 3: Jim has 3/4 of a yard of string which he wishes to divide into pieces, each 1/8 of a yard long. How many pieces will he have?A) 3B) 4C) 6D) 8Discussion Question:How did you solve the problem and how might students solve the problem?Look at the...
by Michael Nicoloff | Jun 4, 2019
Common Challenges with FractionsFrom solving the three different fraction tasks and considering student solutions, summarize your team’s insights so far about the question:What is difficult for students about fractions?The table “What’s Hard About Fraction Number...
by Michael Nicoloff | Jun 4, 2019
Step 3: Curriculum Exploration This step allows you to examine curriculum materials and fraction models. It provides fuel for thinking about items 2-5 of the unit plan for fractions that you have been working on. Researcher: Which fraction is smaller? 64 or 65...
