Fundamentally Fractions

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Hands-on work with the common fraction

Numbers are abstractions. For young mathematicians, fractions can be some of the most baffling abstractions ever. Even the way we write fractions is baffling: a one with a bar and a four beneath it is read as ‘one fourth’ and ‘one fourth’ is actually a number. What on earth can this baffling set of symbols really represent? Even before children are taught that decimals, ratios, and percentages are also fractions, they need support to understand how the strange configurations we call common fractions work.

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Math Tools For Building Confidence

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Dignity and support for struggling mathematicians

Students in small group math sometimes need help learning a particular concept. Some are missing understanding of some basic skills and concepts. Some are nervous about math—period. Some are reluctant to admit they need help at all. Each student signs an individual job bag. This bag holds work. This is engaging work designed to help students to overcome their math anxiety. The weekly assignments coincide with and reinforce concepts the general class will learn in the unit. Students don’t fall behind, plus they have the confidence to participate more in the general math class. Basic skills building exercises are created to help students gain the math know-how they’ll need in order to keep up with the general math unit.

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