Nurturing Numbers
Fractions
Printables
Fraction Insets DIY
The fraction insets are very important because of the impression they create with the fractions being within an inset, which clearly shows equivalancies and the division of the circle.
They can be easily made with craft foam board from Michael's or any other craft store. I'm linking foam board from Michael's so you can see for yourself: https://www.michaels.com/elmers-foam-board-white/10110205.html
Supply list for DIY:
- multipurpose glue
- exacto knife
- green and red paint (look for the acrylic paint that costs less than a dollar)
- foam board
- knobs (get creative here)
- fraction cut outs printout (below)
Cut out squares that measure 5.5 inches. You'll need 2 squares per inset for a total of 20 squares. With one square, you'll cut out the circles, and with the other, you'll glue to the bottom of the inset to prevent the circle pieces from falling out.
Measure out 3/4 inch from every edge and make a mark. This is to make sure the circle sits right in the center.
Use the fraction cut out circle to trace the shape onto the board. Use a heavy magnet or some sort of weight to hold the paper in place. You can also glue it on to the board, if you wish.
Use the knife to make slashes to indicate the seperate parts of the circle. If you glued the paper on, just cut on the black lines. If not, then remove the paper, and cut out the pieces.
Glue another square to the bottom of that inset. You can paint the squares green... or leave them white. There is so significance to the green.
Get creative with the knobs. You can use fimo clay, shaped into little circles and glued on... you can use a dowel that is cut up into little pieces and glue them on.
Photos and videos for DIY coming soon.
Fraction Cut Outs
Fraction Circles 
Materials for Lessons
- Fraction insets
- One golden unit bead
- Blank strips of paper cut out as labels
- Whole circle cut outs
Introducing the Fraction Insets
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
Writing Fractions
After introducing the concept of fractions, it's time to work with making quantities with the fractions and identifying them.
"Today, we'll be working with these fractions again." Have them all lined up at the top of your mat.
Take out 3/4 from the insets and place them on your mat.
Take a slip of paper and write a line in the middle. "This *pointing to the fraction* is from the family of fourths. So we will write down four in the denominator."
Write four at the bottom.
"Now how many pieces do I have here?"
take out different quantities and write them down
Slips of paper
Once you've had some practice, you can now move on to operations with fractions while exploring equivalences.
Exploring Equivalences
Exploring the equivalent fractions 1/2 1/4 1/8... etc.
Operations with Fractions + - x ÷
Addition with Fractions
Use the task cards provided in the printables section for this part of the lesson.
"Today, we're going to do addition with the fractions!"
Look at the first problem on the addition task cards.
1/2 + 1/2 =
Take out 1/2 and another 1/2.
"What do we do when we add?"
By now, they know they that addition means to add up together.
Put the two halves together.
Write down the answer. 2/2.
"Oh but we know that two halves equals one, so we can just write down 1 instead."
Continue on with the rest of the problems on the task card.
Subtraction with Fractions
For this lesson, you will need the task cards with operations.
3/4 - 1/4
Take out 3/4ths and say... "This is how much we have. We need to take away 1/4."
Multiplication with Fractions
Addition with Fractions
Division with Fractions
Addition with Fractions
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