SREB Readiness Indicator Addressed: Read, write, compare, order, and represent in a variety of forms: integers, fractions, decimals, percents, and numbers written in scientific and exponential notations (SREB Indicator #1).

Activity Rationale: Fraction strips, fraction calculators, and other tools can help students master number concepts. Additional research suggests that in order to develop fraction sense, students need models that allow them to develop mental images for fraction size. Students can then use this understanding of fraction size to work with fractions --- and then decimals and percents --- in meaningful ways (Cramer et al., 1997, Cramer and Henry, 2002).

This activity illustrates how interactive applets can be used to help students develop mental images to conceptualize fractions, decimals, and percents.

Experience It!

  1. Go to

This applet explores several models for representing fractions.

  1. Choose Version 2.

Part A: Exploring the Fraction Tool Sliders

  1. Explain what happens when you move the top slider (representing the numerator) to the right.
  1. Explain what happens when you move the bottom slider (representing the denominator) to the right.
  1. Explain what happens to the picture representation, decimal, and percent when the numerator (on top) becomes larger than the denominator (on bottom). Give an example and include a representation (draw a picture) to support your explanation.
  1. Find three fractions that represent 25% of the whole. List these fractions and explain any patterns or relationships that you notice between the fractions.

Part B: Converting Improper Fractions to Other Representations

Express each improper fraction as a mixed number. Also show the decimal, percent, and picture for each improper fraction.

Example:

Solution:

Mixed number: 1

Decimal: 1.4

Percent: 140 %

Part C: Converting Proper Fractions to Other Representations

Express each fraction as a decimal and percent. Draw a picture to represent each value.


Part D: Converting Decimals to Other Representations

Express each decimal as a fraction and percent. Draw a picture to represent each value.

  1. .8
  1. .25
  1. 1.5

References

Cramer, Kathleen, et al. The Rational Number Project Fraction Lessons:Level 1 and Level 2. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co, 1997.

Cramer, Kathleen, and Apryl Henry. “Using Manipulative Models to Build Number Sense for Addition of Fractions.” Making Sense of Fractions, Ratios, and Proportions. Ed. Bonnie Litwiller. Reston, VA: NCTM, 2002.

© 2000-2006 Education Development Center, Inc., through its project, EdTech Leaders® Online, All rights reserved.

1