Fractions

We are well into our big unit on fractions.  Your student will be studying fractions for the next month at least.  We have begun our unit looking at different strategies for comparing fractions.  Your student should be able to compare a fraction to the benchmarks 0, 1/2, and 1 as a way of ordering fractions in a set.  For example, we ask which fraction is greater, 5/6 or 4/5?  In this problem, your student should recognize that both fractions are a unit from 1 whole.  5/6 is 1/6 from 1 and 4/5 is 1/5 from 1.  Using that information, students can use a model or equations to PROVE that since 1/6 is a shorter distance to 1 that 5/6 is the greater fraction.  Another example would be to look at 5/8 and 7/12.  Students should recognize that both fractions are a unit over 1/2.  Next they would determine that 5/8 is 1/8 over and 7/12 is 1/12 over.  Again, students would use a model or equations to PROVE which fraction is greater.  Look in your student's binder to see some of the work they have been accomplishing despite holidays and snow days!

Because we are at the beginning of the unit, students have had fewer homework assignments since they are not ready to practice this work independently at home.  When this is the case, I will try to assign more review assignments for practice of concepts students have learned this year.