Point 1: When we are partitioning a whole into fractional parts, they must be the same size but need not be of the same shape like the image on the top left.
Point 2: When the number of equal sized parts determines the fractional amount, we need to make them into equivalent fractions in order to divide them equally. Thus, they were written into simplest terms.
Young children must understand fractions meaningfully. Using appropriate representations and different categories of models broaden and deepens their understanding. This is essential for their future learning as fractions are used as measurement across various professions.
Fractions
for young children - Simple methods for 4 to 6 year olds.
There
are many ways how to teach fractions, and the success or failure of the child
to understand fractions will depend on the teaching method used. The
methods outlined below have been proven to be easy for young children to grasp,
and easy for every preschool teacher to implement.
It's
been said that if a child understands fractions, then they can understand any
mathematics concept. It is then very important for every preschool
teacher to know how to teach fractions in the most approachable way possible.
When deciding on a method of how to teach fractions, we need to use fractional analogies that children will immediately recognize. The pizza is the perfect instrument to teach the concept of the fraction.
Use fractions that every
child understands. For example, take the fraction: ½. Take the time to explain that this fraction
represents a pizza that has been cut into two pieces, but you only have one of
the pieces left.
Next, tell them that the numerator of the
fraction is the top number and the denominator of the fraction is the bottom
number. Always keep in mind that using
the best methods of how to teach fractions involves moving very slowly, giving
multiple examples involving fractions until every child is comfortable.
Use familiar examples involving fractions such as 1/4, 1/3, and 3/4 to
reinforce the concept of what a fraction is.
 |
| 1/3 or one third |
 |
| 1/4 or a quarter |
Draw lots of pictures of fractions.
Children are visual learners and the best technique of how to teach fractions involves drawing pictures of fractions. For example, take the fraction: 1/4. This fraction can be best described by drawing a pizza cut into four pieces, but you only have three of the pieces such as in this picture of the fraction. Get children to figure out the fraction of the missing piece.
Ensure that you teach fraction simplification slowly and thoroughly.
Most students have a very hard time understanding the concept of equivalent fractions, otherwise known as fraction simplification. The best way how to teach fraction simplification is to show pictures of many such fractions that we know to be equivalent. For example, we know that:
 |
| 2/8 or 1/4 |
Most students have a very hard time understanding the concept of equivalent fractions, otherwise known as fraction simplification. The best way how to teach fraction simplification is to show pictures of many such fractions that we know to be equivalent. For example, we know that:
|
| 1/4 or a quarter |
is equivalent to
For those new to learning fractions, this concept can be hard to understand. As always, when it comes to how to teach fractions, pictures are almost always the superior teaching tool.
To show how these fractions
are equivalent, we draw each case separately. The teacher can then show children
that the fraction 2/4 is “two out of four pieces” and that 1/2 are "one
out of two pieces". It is a very powerful method of teaching
fractions to show visually how these two fractions represent the exact same
amount of pizza.
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