Education

Fractions Lessons: Tips for Parents and Teachers

Web Desk

January 11, 2022

The word fraction derives from the Latin word fractio meaning ‘to break’. When using fractions, you are in a sense breaking something apart.

While fractions are a concept you begin to learn in elementary school, many high school kids and adults do not have a clear understanding of how to calculate problems involving fractions.

What happens when it’s time to help your kids or students learn fractions?

Are you perplexed on the right way to help children with fractions lessons? Keep reading to learn some tips through a variety of activities that make learning fractions fun and engaging.

What are Fractions?

Fractions are a part of a whole. They are numbers between the whole numbers. Fractions help us to be more precise with numbers. You don’t always need a whole cup for example when making a recipe. Instead, half of a cup is the fraction 1/2.

The number on top is called the numerator. The bottom number is the denominator. A good way to remember the difference is to associate D with DOWN. The denominator goes down on the bottom.

Hands-On Activities

Because fractions are abstract concepts and difficult for kids to visualize, using manipulatives gives kids a concrete representation of the fraction. Building and using fraction kits give students a visual to use throughout a unit on fractions.

You can make a fraction kit with card stock strips of different colors. Fold the strip of paper in half and cut. Label each half 1/2. Take another color and fold it in half and half again and label each piece 1/4. Keep going with different colors and different fractions.

Another clever idea is to use a pool noodle cut into fractional pieces and labeled.

Use Models

Use various types of models to show fractional parts. Models show students exactly how the fraction is a part of the whole. Let’s look at the different types of models.

Area Models

Using a circle or rectangle, fractions are represented as colored parts of the area. For example, a circle can be cut into four parts. Each part would be 1/4.

Linear Models

In this type of model, fractions are lengths instead of areas. On a number line, you can split it into 3 lengths, each representing 1/3.

Looking for a way to check your work or get some help with the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of fractions?

Check out www.dadsworksheets.com where you can use their mixed fraction calculator, adding fractions calculator, multiplying fractions calculator, and others. Learn steps that you might not understand with this great learning tool.