First thing first, we need to understand the meaning of a "whole." Ask your student to find whole things around, books, desks, chalkboard, book back, door, an entire building, etc. All that we just named are wholes.
Now let's find parts. The frame is a part of the chalkboard, and the pocket on the student's backpack is a part of it - absolutely right.
But math is an exact subject, and parts are counted as a "part" only if they are equal in math.
Tell your students about a birthday party with a large cake, but the baker had cut the cake into random size pieces, and people were angry. Engage them in a discussion of why people might be upset about unequal pieces of cake.
The most common representation of fractions often involves food items. These are fine to use in this lesson, but the more pictures you show of wholes and items being cut into parts, the better understanding your student will develop.
Let's understand what is the whole. Understanding fractions begins with recognizing a whole. Visual examples are crucial to building student understanding of this concept. Begin by defining the whole as unbroken or all of something. Ask students to think of things that are whole. You might show images or the actual items of the following:
Ask students to develop additional ideas that they know are whole.
Understanding parts of a whole. The next step is to develop the concept that we can break down a whole into different parts, or pieces. This is most often easily understood with food items, as children can relate to the concept of a pizza being cut into slices to be eaten. Show the next example, either with a real food item, or by simply making one out of paper. You do not need to cut the slices into equal parts, just yet, though some students may make this connection. If they do, engage them in that discussion of why equal parts are important.
Now students can determine that when you have a whole you can break it down into parts. Let’s get into more specific fractional terms.
Understanding parts. As your student understands that a whole can be broken into parts, it’s time to have the all important equal parts conversation. Equal means the same. As your student watches you cut the pizza, or whole item, again (intentionally cut a few larger than other), ask them to think about the parts that they would want. They will choose the larger items. Explain that when you are talking about fractions, the pieces you have need to be equal. It’s only fair. Show the example below to show equal parts of a cake.
Ask your students: Why are equal parts important?
Understanding one half. As your students begin exploring the concept of one half, the word half may be familiar to students as they may have heard it before, however they may not understand what the word means. Half is best described as two equal parts. We can cut most things into two parts. Use real items, or show the examples below to explore how we can cut things into two equal parts.
Understand one fourth. Now that your students understand one half as two equal pieces, you can show them how to create four equal parts. They should see that first you create two equal pieces, and then create two more equal pieces. (2 plus 2 equals four doesn’t it?). Again use the real life objects, or the images below to demonstrate.
Understanding one third. Students will likely grasp that here we are creating three equal parts. However the ability to cut some items into thirds can be difficult for students to do, especially when it comes to a circle. Show your student several examples below on how to create thirds, as well as use real life examples to show.
Now that your student has developed an understanding of fractions, incorporate these into your daily discussions. Perhaps you’re at home cutting food, or lining up in line, showing students how you can take a whole and break it into equal parts.
End of lesson:
We have a variety of interactive practice options for continuing the development of the understanding fractions in grades one and two. Share it with your students so they can master this topic.You can also find printable worksheets to be used as homework assignments, in-class practice or tests.
Below you’ll find links to printable worksheets for fractions, as well as interactive games.
Identify fractions. Search for Grade 1 or Grade 2 Fraction Worksheets
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