Teaching the computation of fraction algorithms is basic and children catch on quickly to that; however, what our students need to understand is the underlying concept of part-to-whole and the WHY of the calculations.  When these calculations are utilized in real world conceptual problem solving (which they are required to do on #testing), the algorithms get confusing. They aren’t sure which calculations they should use….should they multiply? No. Maybe that’s dividing in that problem…. They get frustrated, and that frustration results in grabbing the numbers within the conceptual problem and plugging them in to whatever algorithm might work.  They can look for key words and hints/clues within the problem, but they ultimately have to look at their answer and determine if it’s REASONABLE. 

I am blessed to have parents who want to help their children understand these concepts, so I’m gradually adding tutorial videos to our edublogs site.  That way, they and their children can jump online and click on videos that will help them see fractions in a different light!  I’m proud of my students who have gallantly struggled and exhibited phenomenal academic grit with grasping fraction concepts.  They truly are leaving CS a #LegacyOfExcellence . 

Videos are located under the MATH TUTORIALS dropdown menu at the top of the FrizTown edublogs home page.