This is the first lesson in the fraction sequence. You will first introduce the fractions and their names using the three period game.
To prepare: Have labels ready in a little basket or container. Have whole circle cut outs (at least 4 or so ready to go for the lesson).
Bring out the first five fraction insets to your workspace. You'll bring out the rest IF you notice growing interest.
"Today we're going to find out what fractions are."
Hold up a golden unit bead. Ask, "what is this?"
Let your child reply.
"We start counting with one. Is there anything smaller than this bead that we know of?
No, there isn't... anything that we know of."
But what if I have a slice of bread and I want to share it with my friend? I can cut it.
"But I can't cut this bead! It's too hard to cut! Let's try to squash it and squeeze it."
Pretend to squeeze the golden bead between your palms... "ahh! I squeezed it and it became flat and red!" Pull out one of the whole cut out circles.
"Now I can cut this because it's nice and flat and big enough for me to cut!"
Show them the circle in the inset. "This is our whole circle. But we can't cut this one, so we'll cut our paper one."
Cut the circle in half.
Take the fraction inset that is cut in half and place it on top of the one you cut.
"This is the family of halves."
Introducing the numerator
Introducing the denominator