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Teaching of Rational Numbers. Fractions, Decimals and Percents. Why are Fractions Difficult to Learn?. Fractions & YOU. Why are Fractions Difficult to Learn?. “Fractions are difficult to teach and learn, but they should not be viewed as a lost cause” . Why are Fractions Difficult to Learn?.
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Teaching of Rational Numbers Fractions, Decimals and Percents
Why are Fractions Difficult to Learn? Fractions & YOU
Why are Fractions Difficult to Learn? “Fractions are difficult to teach and learn, but they should not be viewed as a lost cause”
Why are Fractions Difficult to Learn? Learning the various fraction operations can be difficult for many children. It is not the concept of fractions that is difficult . . .
Why are Fractions Difficult to Learn? . . . It is the various operations that are done with fractions!
Why are Fractions Difficult to Learn? There are no less than 10 different procedures.
Why are Fractions Difficult to Learn? • Add/Subtract Same Denominators • Add/Subtract Unlike Denominators • Writing Equivalent Fractions • Mixed Numbers to a Fractions • Simplifying Fractions
Why are Fractions Difficult to Learn? • Improper Fraction to a Mixed Number • Multiplication of Fractions • Division of Fractions • Converting Fractions to Decimals • Converting Decimals to Fractions
Making Sense of Fractions If children just memorize these procedures without understanding how they were derived, they will seem like a meaningless jumble of rules.
Making Sense of Fractions Rules/Procedures Vs Visualization
Making Sense of Fractions Before learning how to subtract or add fractions with unlike denominators, students MUST understand equivalent fractions.
Visualization Example#1Equivalent Fractions These two circles are EQUIVALENT because the pictures show the same amount.
Visualization Example#1Equivalent Fractions In the second circle each slice has been cut into two. Before 1 slice After 2 slices
Visualization Example#1Equivalent Fractions These two circles are EQUIVALENT because the pictures show the same amount.
Visualization Example#1Equivalent Fractions Each slice has been cut into two. Before 3 colored slices After 6 colored slices
Visualization Example#1Equivalent Fractions These two circle are EQUIVALENT because the pictures show the same amount.
Visualization Example#1Equivalent Fractions Write two equivalent fractions for the green sections in these circles.
Visualization Example#1Equivalent Fractions Write two equivalent fractions for the green sections in these circles.
Visualization Example#1Equivalent Fractions Write two equivalent fractions for the green sections in these circles. What is the multiplier?
Equivalent FractionsPractice #1 Write the name of each fraction beside it. Connect the fractions that show the same amount.
Fractions Are Difficult to Learn: Are Decimals Truly Easier? Many adults and children do not have a true understanding of decimals and percents?
Fractions Are Difficult to Learn: Are Decimals Truly Easier? "We are now slightly less than one-fifth of the world's population, but we have slightly more than 20% of the world's wealth and income. This is not a matter requiring Einstein to calculate.” Bill Clinton, 1997
Fractions Are Difficult to Learn: Are Decimals Truly Easier? The most basic idea about decimals is that, like fractions, enable us to describe parts of a unit quantity.
Fractions Are Difficult to Learn: Are Decimals Truly Easier? They do this not by creating new "sub-units" but by creating new numbers. Decimals and fractions are two solutions to one problem.
Fractions Are Difficult to Learn: Are Decimals Truly Easier? Most students ( and even adults) do not make the decimal-fraction link correctly.
Fractions Are Difficult to Learn: Are Decimals Truly Easier? The fundamental understanding of fractions, such as dealing with equivalent fractions, is critical to decimals as well.
Fractions Are Difficult to Learn: Are Decimals Truly Easier? The most basic knowledge about decimals is to understand that both decimals and fractions are designed for the same purpose.
Fractions Are Difficult to Learn: Are Decimals Truly Easier? Kids basically see the decimal point as a character separating two whole numbers. 4 . 7
Fractions Are Difficult to Learn: Are Decimals Truly Easier? Those who have not completely made the decimal-fraction link think two different types of whole numbers make up a decimal.
Fractions Are Difficult to Learn: Are Decimals Truly Easier? What does the fraction tell you? What does this fraction, written as a decimal (0.4) tell you?
Examples of Incorrect Decimal-Fraction Associations Fractions with a numerator of 1 4.6 is the same as 8.4 is the same as
Fractions Are Difficult to Learn: Are Decimals Truly Easier? denominator indicates the number of parts in the whole object To understand a fraction, the numerator and the denominator must be considered simultaneously. numerator indicates the number of parts being used
Decimal Number Misconception #1 Longer is Larger
Decimal Number Misconception #2 Whole Number Thinking
Decimal Number Misconception #3 Zero Makes Small
Decimal Number Misconception #4 Reverse Thinking
Decimal Number Misconception #4 Shorter is Larger
Decimal Number Misconception #5 Denominator Focused