How to Make a Fraction Kit
Hands-on practice can help developmental students develop
confidence with math. Having students pair up to make this fraction
kit teaches and reinforces basic concepts about fractions. Once
students understand basic fractions, they can use pennies with
the kit to learn about decimals and percentages.
Materials:
colored construction paper
a ruler
a protractor
a pencil
a round plate that can be completely traced on the construction
paper
a pair of scissors
Part 1 Halves, fourths, and eighths
1. Trace the plate on four pieces of construction paper. Use
a different color each time. Cut out the round shapes and throw
away the remaining paper.
2. Set aside one circle. It will represent a whole.
3. Fold each shape in half. Draw a line along the folds. Cut
all the shapes along these lines. Set aside two halves of the
same color and label each 1/2. You will use them in math problems
about halves.
4. Fold the remaining halves again. Draw a line along the
folds. Cut all the halves along these lines. Now you have made
fourths. Set aside four of these and label them 1/4. You will
use them in math problems about fourths.
5. You will have one set of fourths remaining. Fold each fourth
in half. Draw a line along the folds. Cut all the fourths along
these lines. Now you have made eighths. Label each one 1/8. You
will use them in math problems about eighths.
Spend a few minutes mixing and matching these fractional parts.
Notice the relationships between halves, fourths, and eighths.
Part 2 Thirds and sixths (You may need assistance for this.
Find someone in the class who knows how to measure angles with
a protractor.)
1. Trace the plate on three more sheets of construction paper.
Choose different colors. Cut out the shapes and throw away the
remaining paper.
2. Pick up one round shape and find the center by folding
it in half both horizontally (across) and vertically (up and down).
Use a pencil to mark the center.
3. Use this circle to make a template (model) of a third.
To do this, lay the protractor on the paper circle so that the
midpoint of the ruler (base) is at the center of the circle. Measure
an angle of 120 degrees. Extend the lines to the edge of the circle.
You will see that you have marked a third of the circle. Cut out
this shape. Throw away the rest of the circle.
4. Use the third as a template (a model) to divide the remaining
shapes into thirds. (Throw away the template when you are finished.)
Put one set aside to use in problems about thirds. Label each
piece 1/3.
5. Fold the remaining thirds in half. Draw a line along the
folds. Cut along the folds. Now you have made a set of sixths.
Label each piece 1/6.
Spend a few minutes mixing and matching these fractional shapes.
Notice the relationships between thirds and sixths.
Finally, do more mixing and matching with the shapes you cut
out earlier. You will notice a relationship between halves and
sixths.