From: roger <rebreen@fccj.edu>
To: Teacher2Teacher Public Discussion
Date: 2006071020:43:32
Subject: Re: Re: How can I teach equivalent fractions?

Have eight students stand in line in the front of the classroom. Give
the first four a red sheet of paper, the next four a yellow sheet.

Ask thre yellow sheets to take five steps away from the red sheets.

Ask the question: "How many students moved?"      4

"How many were originally standing together?"     8

"OK, so 4 of the 8 moved."  Write 4 fraction bar 8.

"What part of the whole group moved?"    HALF   1  fraction bar 2

 Write the equation  4 over 8 = 1 over 2

Ask the yellow sheets to sit down.

Replace two red sheet with green sheets.

Ask the green sheets to move away from the red.

"How many moved?   2

"How many were originally standing together?"    4

Write 2 over 4

"What part of the whole moved?  half?

Write the equality 2 over 4 = 1 over 2

If you have already taught different fractional names for one, use 2
halves time 1 half to get 2 fourths.  Use 4 fourths times 1 half to
get 4 eighths. 

"This is how we can make equivalent fractions."

[Hope this helps.] 

Post a reply to this message
Post a related public discussion message
Ask Teacher2Teacher a new question