Fraction Operations using Pattern Blocks

This Kit contains: • 5 bags of 1cm Plastic Pattern Blocks (set of 250)

• 1 bag of Overhead Pattern Blocks (set of 49) • 20 “Red Orange” Crayola Colored Pencils • 20 “Blue” Crayola Colored Pencils • 20 “Yellow” Crayola Colored Pencils • 20 “Green” Crayola Colored Pencils • 3 Crayola Colored Pencil Sharpeners • 1 activity binder Video demonstrations of the following lessons can be found at: http://tidewaterteam.wm.edu/

Overview of Lesson 1 Getting to know Patterns Blocks Number sense and Spatial reasoning are an important part in

developing a sound mathematical logic when dealing with fractions. In this lesson, students will explore the relationships between fractional pieces using Pattern Blocks. Often, students need time to explore and “play” with the new manipulative before they are ready to be guided through computations using the manipulative. The first activity page will help focus this much-needed exploration. In order to promote higher-level thinking and to develop number sense, the second activity works with establishing new values based on different pieces being considered the unit.

Overview of Lesson 2 Adding and Subtracting with Pattern Blocks In this lesson students will work adding and subtracting Pattern

Block pieces. Addition While adding, the teacher will use the Join model.

• Join model – in this method the student will lay down the two addends (the two numbers being added) and physically push them together to “join” the parts.

Subtraction While subtracting, the teacher will use two different models.

• Take away model – in this model the student will lay down the pieces that make up the minuend (the number you begin with) and will physically “take away” the subtrahend (what you subtract)

• Comparison model – in this model the student will lay down both the minuend and the subtrahend. After laying both amounts side by side, the student will compare the quantities and determine how much remains (the difference)

Overview of Lesson 3 Multiplying and Dividing with Pattern Blocks In this lesson students will work multiplication and division Pattern

Block pieces. Multiplication While multiplying it is important to remind students what multiplication truly represents. For example, 3x4 is interpreted as 3 groups / rows of 4. For multiplication of fractions, the same idea applies, just with fractional pieces. It is also important to remember that when representing multiplication in a concrete or pictorial model, you have to begin the representation using the second factor. For example, 3x4 is beginning with 4 of the object repeated 3 times.

• The second factor tells you how much we begin with • The first factor tells you how much to take of the second

factor.

Multiplication Helpful Hints: • Think of the multiplication sign as the word “of” • We are taking a piece of something less than one, so

naturally our product would be smaller than we began with

Division When dividing it is important to remind students what division truly represents. For example, 6 ÷ 3 is interpreted as how many groups of 3 are in 6? For division of fractions, the same idea applies, though it is handy to say how many 3’s fit into 6. It is also important to remember that when representing division in a concrete or pictorial model, you have to begin the representation using the Dividend (the first number).