I pass out a notecard to each student. I show them a stack of Hershey's candy bars and tell them they get to "order" the size they want. They get very excited and the anticipation is like static electricity. They can almost taste the chocolate already! This is a rare treat since I don't believe in giving students any kind of candy as a reward. However, the benefits of this one activity outweigh the cons.
I write two fractions on the board- 1/12 and 1/4. I tell them they must write one down without sharing with their neighbor. Hersheys are already divided into 12 mini squares, or you can break them into 4 larger squares. I go around the room and hold up each piece requested before I set them on the card and read off the fraction.
When the realization hits, there are many ohhhs and ahhhs. Some students are grinning and some look quite unhappy. As they eat, we talk about what 1/12 and 1/4 mean as far as the numerator and the denominator. We also talk about the fact that fractions are kind of backwards, the larger the denominator, the smaller the fraction, or piece is. This is an experience we will refer back to over the next six to eight weeks.
We began a discussion about 1/3 and 1/6. When talking about the size of each piece, a student became confused. Another another student suddenly chirped, "Well, would you rather have a piece of candy bar cut into three pieces, or one cut into six pieces?" Suddely everyone nodded in agreement.
Materials I will be using to teach and assess this unit:Fraction Frenzy and 3rd Grade Common Core Fractions Assessment
2 comments:
I LOVE this lesson idea! I need to try my best to remember it when I teach fractions next year, since I've already taught it. Or, I could see how many of my students have mastered the concept and test this lesson out :)
Rebecca
Ladybugs Lounge
Thanks for commenting Rebecca. It really is a powerful lesson and one that "sticks" with students all the way through.
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