Fractions Fun!

Overview

Duration: 30 minutes
Year Level: Year 1-3
Class Size: 24 students
Subject: Mathematics
Focus: Introduction to Fractions
Curriculum Links: Aligned with the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics for Years 1-3. This lesson will address the content descriptions around understanding and recognising fractions.

Objectives

1. Understanding Fractions: Students will understand what fractions are and recognise them in a hands-on context.
2. Identifying Fractions: Students will identify and create simple fractions (e.g., ½, ¼).
3. Using Fractions in Real Life: Students will relate fractions to everyday objects.

Materials

• Paper plates (sufficient for each student)
• Markers
• Pre-cut fruit or snacks (e.g., apples, oranges, crackers)
• Fraction flashcards
• Whiteboard and markers

Activities

Introduction (5 minutes)

1. Welcome and Introduction: Greet the students and explain that today they will learn about fractions.
2. Relating to Real Life: Briefly discuss how fractions are used in everyday life (e.g., cutting a pizza), triggering their natural curiosity.

Direct Instruction (8 minutes)

1. Explaining Fractions:
   • Demonstrate what a fraction is using a visual aid, like a paper plate.
   • Explain that the top number (numerator) shows how many parts we have, and the bottom number (denominator) shows the total number of equal parts.
2. Examples of Fractions:
   • Using the paper plate, show ½ and ¼.
   • Draw parts on the whiteboard (½, ¼) and discuss their meanings.

Hands-On Activity (10 minutes)

1. Fraction Creation with Snacks:

   • Distribute paper plates and markers to each student.
   • Hand out pre-cut snacks (e.g., apple slices).
   • Instruct students to create different fractions (e.g., ask them to split their apple into halves and then quarters).
   • Allow students to physically move the pieces to understand fractions better.

2. Fraction Flashcards:

   • Hand out flashcards with various fractions.
   • In pairs, students will match the flashcards with their snack fractions.

Group Discussion and Reflection (5 minutes)

1. Sharing Findings:
   • Ask students to share their paper plates and explain the fractions they created.
   • Encourage students to use fraction terms correctly (e.g., "I have broken my apple into halves").
2. Realisation and Recap:
   • Recap the lesson by drawing connections between what they did with the snacks and how fractions are represented in everyday life.
   • Use questions like, “Where else can we see fractions?”

Closure (2 minutes)

1. Review and Praise:
   • Praise students for their participation and effort.
   • Review the concept of fractions briefly.
2. Homework (Optional):
   • Ask students to find other items at home that can be divided into fractions and draw them or bring them to the next class.

Assessment

• Observation during activities: Check for students’ understanding and correct use of fraction terms.
• Student Participation: Evaluate their involvement in discussions and activities.
• Fraction Flashcards: Check for correct matching during the fraction flashcard activity.

Conclusion

This lesson integrates hands-on experience with visual aids to help Year 1-3 students grasp the basic concept of fractions. It adheres to the Australian Curriculum standards and aims to make the learning experience engaging and relevant. The focus on real-life applications and interactive activities ensures that young learners remain interested and effectively absorb the lesson contents.