Overview

Session Summary

This session focuses on fraction concepts introduced in the early grades, and the different contexts and representations students use as they develop meaning for fractions.

Early Fraction Concepts

Even before fractions are formally introduced, students begin to informally explore fraction concepts as they engage in activities focused on two-dimensional geometry. As students compose and decompose two-dimensional shapes in different ways, they begin to notice relationships between the different shapes.

Play the first-grade game, Fill the Hexagons. As you play, think about the relationship between the different shapes.

What fractional ideas might students notice as they play this game?

Lens on Equity

Drawing on the multiple resources of knowledge that students bring to the study of mathematics is an important equity-based teaching practice.

“Equity-based teaching depends on the capacity to recognize and intentionally tap students’ knowledge and experiences—mathematical, cultural, linguistic peer, family, and community—as resources for mathematics teaching and learning. Drawing on this knowledge and experience includes helping students bridge everyday experiences to learn mathematics, capitalizing on linguistic resources to support mathematics learning, recognizing family or community mathematical practices to support mathematics learning, and finding ways to help students learn and use mathematics to solve authentic problems that affect their lives.” (Aguirre, Mayfield-Ingram, & Martin, 2013, pp.43-44).

Consider the different resources of knowledge your students may bring to their study of fractions. 

  • How might you make connections to students’ previous knowledge about fractions?

  • How might your students’ backgrounds and experiences support learning about fractions?

  • What might you seek to learn from family and community members to support your students’ mathematical confidence and learning?

  • If teaching multilingual students, how might you affirm their multilingual abilities to help them learn math?

Read the 1st grade Teacher Note Understanding Fractions to learn more about the important fraction concepts students explore in first and second grade.