Thursday, April 12, 2012

Fractions, Fractions, Everywhere!



My students created a "Mr. Fraction Man," which consisted of them following step-by-step directions so we could do everything together. We started off by discussing how many parts were in the body of Mr. Fraction (8 parts). This would be the denominator for a fraction representing his body. Then my students chose a color and completed the first direction ("Color in 5/8 of his body.") They could color in the fraction however they wanted, but five of the eight sections had to be colored. The fractions varied for different body parts, but we continued with this process for the upper arms/legs, lower arms/legs, and fingers/toes. They were able to color his head however they wanted. After carefully cutting along the bold black lines, my students glued Mr. Fraction together and completed the second half of the direction sheet independently  ("What is the fraction for the unshaded part of his body?" etc..) This activity took a little longer than I had planned, but it was worth it! :)

To start this lesson, my students each got 6 same-colored unifix cubes. They connected them and we discussed the fractions for these cubes, such as "6/6 of the cubes are black. 0/6 cubes are red.") After taking one black cube off and replacing it with a red cube, we stated our new fraction: "5/6 cubes are black. 1/6 cubes are red." This continued until all of our original colors had been replaced, one-by-one. Later, we drew the unifix cubes onto a sheet of paper and wrote the fractions out, as shown in the picture.

43 comments:

  1. I love this! He could be Gallon Man's brother. ;)

    I'm your newest follower!
    Christi ツ
    Ms. Fultz’s Corner

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  2. Haha! I know! My kiddos joked about that as well! Thanks for stopping by! Can't wait to check out your blog! :)

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  3. Howdy! Does the rate of updates of your site depend on specific things or you write articles when you have a special mood or spare time? Can't wait to see your reply.

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  4. Do you have this saved? Could I get a copy of Fraction Man to use in my classroom and the worksheet? If so, please e-mail it to lbuckelew@albertk12.org

    Thanks!

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  5. I would also like to know how to get a copy of the fraction man and the worksheet to use in my classroom. If you could email me at samantha.bowlden@gscs.org. Thank you!

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  6. Jen, I hate to bother you for this fraction man template too, but would you send it to me as well. I think my kids would love this! mdvinatieri@hotmail.com

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  7. I have tried posting this a couple of times and it doesn't seem to be working! I LOVE this fractions activity and really want to do it with my students. Could you PLEASE send me a template as well? Thank you!!!
    Kadowning@capousd.org

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  8. Hello, love the idea too for my third graders. Can you email a template to me as well?
    mariposa2424@yahoo.com

    Thank you!
    **Mari

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  9. I would also LOVE to have the templates for this activity - my students are LOVING fractions!
    michellef2005@gmail.com

    Thanks! -Michelle

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  10. I would LOVE to have the templates, as well. Please send to jsg1104@yahoo.com

    Thanks!
    Jessica

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  11. I would love to have this template!! crislaur@shenet.org

    Thank you!

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  12. Thanks for this fabulous idea! I'd love to get this template if you are willing to share. Thanks in advance! Jahorvat@jeffco.k12.co.us

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  13. Thanks for this fabulous idea! I'd love to get this template if you are willing to share. Thanks in advance! Jahorvat@jeffco.k12.co.us

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  14. Thanks for this fabulous idea! I'd love to get this template if you are willing to share. Thanks in advance! Jahorvat@jeffco.k12.co.us

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  15. Great Idea! I'd love to get this template as well if you have time.
    Thanks!
    sstephan@tcsd.org

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  16. I love your fraction man! I would also love the template and worksheet if you don't mind sharing. mryan@nmusd.us

    Thank you!

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  17. I love your fraction man! I would also love the template and worksheet if you don't mind sharing. mryan@nmusd.us

    Thank you!

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  18. I love this fraction man! Could you please send me your template....evolk@pemb.org

    Thanks!!

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  19. I would love the template too!! :)
    tashalburns@gmail.com

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  20. I would love the template also:
    amandacbaldwin1@gmail.com

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  21. I would love to get a copy of this template! I love this idea! Sherylyn4@gmail.com

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  22. I love this idea. Could I get the template? jlp6983@gmail.com
    Thanks!! :)

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  23. This is a great idea. I would love to do it with my Grade 3 class. Can I please have the template. ctebrown@gmail.com

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  24. I love this idea as well. Could I please get a copy of the template. Thanks! laura.brewer@gcssk12.net

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  25. Can you please email me the template as well. nreed1711@yahoo.com

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  26. This is great! I would love the template if you have a chance. tdubovsky@gmail.com

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  27. This is great! I would love the template if you have a chance. tdubovsky@gmail.com

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  28. I love the idea. I would love the templates if you are willing to share. Please et me know. silviahenderson08@yahoo.com

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  29. I would love to try this with my students too. If you are willing to share, I would appreciate an emailed copy of the template. Thank you.

    kathryn.gendron@gmail.com

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  30. Hi there! I have been on a search for something like this, in my class I have 4 girls and 18 boys, I am sure my boys would eat this right up! Please oh pretty please, could you email me the templates????
    juliakennelly@hotmail.com

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  31. Love this! The exact activity was looking for! Please send me the templates! Knottmj@gmail.com

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  32. Hey, this is great!! If you are still emailing the template, I would love a copy. Thanks!! angelmay321@yahoo.com

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  33. If you can still email me the Fraction Man templates I would really appreciate it! melton.ashley@gmail.com

    Thanks for such an AWESOME idea! :)

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  34. I absolutely love this! can I have the template too?

    Thanks,
    Annie

    annietorres18@gmail.com

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  35. Could I please get a copy?? tlnolen@pcva.us
    Thanks!

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  36. I would love a template.

    Thank you!

    classmcdowell@gmail.com

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  37. I would love a template!

    Thank you!
    hoelkers@nsboro.k12.ma.us

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  38. This is a fabulous idea. Would you mind sharing your template. What a fun way to learn fractions and a possible performance assessment. Thanks so much in advance, Jessica
    nealor21@hotmail.com

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  39. If you're still sharing the template I would love to have it! Thanks!
    caitlin.hannasch@gmail.com

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  40. Please share with me also-- simply love it: c_navarro22@dadeschools.net

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  41. May I have a copy, as well?
    jwicinski@mgsd70.org

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  42. May I have a copy, as well?
    jwicinski@mgsd70.org

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  43. Is there any chance i could please get a copy of fraction man?
    grieve.amelia.j@edumail.vic.gov.au

    ReplyDelete