Origami has always been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember, growing up in Indonesia, but I never thought it is a great way to help learn Math, specifically fractions until recently. Last week, when one of my iSucceed Math students was working on fractions asked me about whether each of her fingers is one fifth or is it one tenth! I asked her what she thought of that. She was convinced that because she has five fingers on one hand that one finger represents one fifth of her whole hand! When I asked her what characteristics fractions have, she looked at her hand/s. I was looking for the equal part of course. She then told me that one finger is part of her whole hand. This student is from Ethiopia and has always been so brave to ask questions without worrying what her peers may think of her. She is also in my Read 180 program. I love her curiosity!!
I wished that I had some of those round fraction manipulatives!! I could have used other manipulatives but I decided to take some colored 8.5 X 11 paper and all five of them came to the table, they were also curious and perhaps wanted to take a break from their computer work. I asked them to fold it in exactly half, then into another half, and into another half and open it. I then asked them to draw lines on the foldings and asked them to count the parts and write the fraction in each of the spaces. They saw the equal size of each spaces and finally told me that one of the rules of a fraction is to have equal size for each part.
I asked if her finger is one fifth of her hand.......she said no....... with a smile:) and added that her fingers are not of equal size!! I believe that she ate the mango! She didn't only help herself, but I feel that she also helped the others to remember. I will certainly review with her after the vacation.
Unfortunately I can not get to the national library of virtual manipulatives on these computers because the computer programmings are taking all the memory.........:) I know that in the nlvm there is a section for fractions. I agree with Shawn that it is a very good site for students to learn Mathematics.
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You may encounter difficulty with these also, but you can try.
This site has different blackline masters (ie: circular fraction pieces and ten frames) to download.
wps.ablongman.com/ab_vanderwalle_math_5/12/3112/796754.cw/index.html).
Try this one for fractions . . .
www.coolmath4kids.com/fractions/index.html
This one has a fun activity similar to what we did at the muster that has you adding the interior angles. It is touchy so do practice first.
www.mste.uiuc.edu/exner/java.f/angleobject/#simulation
Thank you Karen! I am sure that they will be useful for the students to see and understand the concept of fractions.
I will check them out and have fun with them first:)
I have a hard copy of an old lesson for middle schoolers that begins with a paper circle cut-out. I love this lesson. In order to share it with you, I need an old fashioned mailing address. Send along a mailing address, and I'll send you a copy of this lesson.
By the way.....great story. Thanks for taking te time to write and share.
Ina, thanks for sharing the classroom story and reminding me that I have forgot this medium. I have always enjoyed origami as a tool for exploration in kindergarten, yet somehow I haven't used it much recently. Your story has inpsired me to get out the paper and play! Deb Smith
Hi David Santoro, talking about "old fashioned" snail mail:):), an even better way, you can use the "older old fashioned" interoffice mail, which won't cost a thing!!
Deb Smith, have fun and I am so certain that your students will be asking for more of this fun Origami Math learning time!!! My
5th graders made Origami pinwheels, created a bag, then glued the pinwheels on the bag. I had nothing to do with the measurements!! They did it themselves, well, five kids together!! You should see them trying to measure the pinwheel and then the space, they multiplied, they use the rulers, they use the old fashioned way by putting them on the paper, then trace the perimeter, and then tried to glue the sides......no go. Back to the drawing board!! They got it within three sittings......with lots of sweat:) I could have made that easier for them and give them the bag but that will be too easy!!
Karen, I am not able to access the WPS Longman site because I am not part of your school, but that's ok because the other two are excellent sites!! I really enjoyed "playing" at the other two sites, when I had time, and believe me or not, the kids can access the coolmath on our Read 180computers!!! I would really appreciate it if you could share some of those WPS blackline masters when we see each other again in June Karen!! You gave me an inch and now I want the whole yard:):):)
Thank you all for your generosity!! You took the time to read and give me feedback PLUS resources!! I must be living right:)
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