APH MathBuilders: Unit 7 A Supplemental Math Program for Braille Users, K-3 Presented by Derrick W. Smith, Ed.D., COMS

What Every Teacher Should Know about Fractions, Mixed Numbers, and Decimals Extremely Important! Must not rush through manipulative work or concept development will never occur. Common and decimal fraction instruction are typically separated by textbooks but do not have to be. Considered difficult to learn AND teach!

Situations Represented by Common Fractions Unit Partitioned into Equal-Size Parts – Think PIZZA Set Partitioned into Equal-Size Groups – Think this room! Comparisons/Ratios – Think…well…comparisons of size Division

Fractions, Mixed Numbers, and Decimals Teacher’s Guide – Introduction for specific content theme – Recommended children’s literature – Lessons for grades K-3 32 Worksheets – Print over Braille Manipulatives CD

Materials Included in Kit Fraction Bars Decimal Bars Tray for Fraction & Decimal Bars Fraction Circles Tray for Fraction Circles Tactile Tokens

Brainstorming Time As a group, look through the Unit Manipulatives and develop a “lesson idea”. The lesson idea should include: – A measureable objective written with Bloom’s Taxonomy verbs – An engagement “thought” (how will you get the child “wanting” to learn this concept?) – A use of the kit in teaching the concept.

Fraction Strip Everyone look at the fraction strip. Answer my questions as a group using the tool.

Unit 7: Brainstorming Activity 1.G.3. Partition circles and rectangles into two and four equal shares, describe the shares using the words halves, fourths, and quarters, and use the phrases half of, fourth of, and quarter of. Describe the whole as two of, or four of the shares. Understand for these examples that decomposing into more equal shares creates smaller shares. 3.NF.3. Explain equivalence of fractions in special cases, and compare fractions by reasoning about their size. (use something other than the fraction strip!)