Equivalent Fractions

Teacher: Kelli McCarthy

Grade Level: 4th

Objectives:

Students will be able to use manipulatives to aid in their understanding of equivalent fractions.

Students will be able to work in together small groups.

Students will be able to create equivalent fractions and draw pictures to represent them.

Materials:

Paper circles (enough for each child)

Crayons

Pencils

The Hershey Milk Chocolate Fractions Book by Jerry Pallotta and Rob Bolster

Hershey’s Chocolate Bars (enough for each child)

Paper towels

White paper

Fraction circles

Procedures:

Begin the lesson by writing the word “equivalent” on the board, and ask the students what they think this word might mean. (Hopefully, a student will pick out the word “equal.”)

Ask them what is meant by equivalent fractions. Listen to the students’ responses.

Discuss how fractions have 2 and more names, just like people. The names may be different, but they represent the same fraction or person. Give the following example: Cody (a boy in the class) is also known as Cody Hutchins, Frog Boy, by his friends, and Sweetie Pie, by his mom. They are all different names, but all of them represent Cody.

Give each child a paper circle and a crayon and have them fold the paper in half and shade ½ of the circle.

Together, continue to fold the paper and talk about how folding it divides the paper into more equal parts.

Discuss the equivalent fractions that are formed by folding the circles.

Give each child a Hershey’s chocolate bar and a paper towel.

Introduce The Hershey Milk Chocolate Fractions Book.

As you read, have the students follow along with their own candy bars.

Talk about the equivalent fractions in the book as the children eat their candy bars.

Divide the students into pairs and give each group a set of fraction circles and a piece of white paper. Be sure the students have pencils.

Give the children time to find 2 pairs of equivalent fractions using the fraction circles.

Have the students write their 2 pairs of equivalent fractions and draw pictures to represent them.

Let each group share their fractions with the class.

Assessment:

Listen to the children as they participate in class discussions.

Observe the students as they work together in small groups.

Look at the students’ equivalent fractions and listen as they present them to the class.