Teaching, Learning, and Communicating about Fractions

Introduction

Learning about fractions is an important mathematical goal in grades 3-5. The activity shown in these video clips helps students develop an understanding of several important aspects of fractions, including fractions as parts of a unit whole, representing fractions on a number line, and equivalent fractions (See Related 3-5 Number and Operation Standard). An important part of the activity is helping students explain and communicate their thinking.

The teacher plays an important role in facilitating and fostering communication so that powerful mathematical understanding is developed (See Related 3-5 Communication Standard). Not only do teachers need to encourage their students to communicate mathematically, they also need to model good communication skills. The ability to pose questions that elicit, extend, and challenge students' thinking is an essential part of creating a classroom environment where intellectual risks, sense making, and deep understanding are expected.

The first video clip in this Reflection activity contains an explanation of the fraction activity that the students will be working on in class. The second and third video clips contain episodes of teacher/student dialogue - episodes in which the teacher plays an important role in fostering the students' ability to verbally communicate their mathematical thoughts.

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