Bloggerific Teaching!

Mrs. Warren's blog, http://blog.oconee.k12.ga.us/awarren/, has long been an exemplary communication tool used by both parents and students. I was particularly struck by a recent post. It truly allowed the students to interact and to demonstrate their mathematical learning.

On January 14th Mrs. Warren posted the following math prompt:

In your own words tell me everything you have learned so far about fractions.  Tell me things like:

When do we use them in the real world? What are the mathmatical names of the parts of fractions? What is a fraction? How do fractions relate to decimals? How do we add them? How do we compare them? What is simplifying? What does it mean to have equivalent fractions? What are the differences between mixed numbers and improper fractions? How do we change fractions to decimals and then back to fractions?  

Some interesting student responses included:

John Said,

January 17, 2011 @ 5:39 PM

We use fractions in the real world when we cut pizza (into 8ths) when we bake (1/2 tsp or 2/3 cup milk) and when companies report how well they are doing (using fractions and graphs). You know it is time to get gas when the gauge in the car says 1/8th of a tank!

A fraction has a numerator (which is the top number) and a denominator (the bottom pasrt of the number). The horizontal line means that you divide.

A fraction is a number that tells you parts of a whole. For example, if you have a circle with 50/100 it means that you have 50 of the 100 parts shaded. Fractions are like decimals because it is compared to a whole. 50/100 is the same as .50.

In your prompt you mentioned 10 items. I have written on 4, that means I have done 4/10 or 2/5th — oops, thats one more done, so now I’ve done 5/10 or 1/2.

Dustin Said,

January 16, 2011 @ 2:15 PM

Fractions are part of a whole.The top number is called the numerator, and the bottom numbers are called the denominators. In the real world, we often use fraction in cooking and baking. The reciepies usually called for part of a whole such as 1/4 cup of sugar, 2/5 cup of butter, 1/2 cup of flour…….Both fractions and decimals are part of a whole. When adding or subtracting fraction, you use line them up by the place value and add or subtrac normally. Making sure you bring down the decimal. As of subracting, adding fraction, you just add or subtract the numerator and leave the denominator the same. Simplifying means you reduce the fraction by dividing the numerator and denominator with the same number. The number has to be able to divide for the top and bottom numbers. Equivalent fractions are fractions that are equal to one another which mean that it has or has not been simplified. For example 2/10 = 1/5.

What a great use of a blog as a learning tool!


Originally Posted by Angela McDurmon