Fraction Transformations (Small Group)

10-E-S-1

Purpose: Investigate and explore different ways to represent and name a fractional amount

Description: Students use pre-partitioned strips to find fraction names for a given fraction amount.

Materials

  • Pre-partitioned strips
  • Colored writing utensils (colored pencils, markers)

What To Say and Do

  • 1

    Select and present a pre-partitioned strip to each student (e.g., a strip partitioned into three equal parts). Say, “This is a strip that is equally partitioned into three parts, we can call this three-thirds.

  • 2

    Ask students to transform the partitioned strip. Say, “Mark your strip to show six equal parts.

  • 3

    Ask students to use a colored utensil to highlight one-third of the strip and facilitate a group discussion using the following questions: 

    • How many sixths are in the whole strip? (6) 
    • How many sixths are in the one-third? (2) 
    • (Shade 1/3) What are the fraction names for this part? (1/3 and 2/6) 
    • Are there any other fractions you can name in this strip?
    • Do some of the amounts have more than one name? (2/3 and 4/6; 3/3 and 6/6)
  • 4

    Continue with a new pre-partitioned strip. Consider the following tasks: 

    • Two-halves strip to make fourths, sixths or eighths
    • Four-fourths strip to make eighths or twelfths 
    • Five-fifths strip to make tenths or fifteenths 
    • Six-sixths strip to make twelfths or eighteenths 

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