5th Grade Math Class

Fractions

Alyxandria Ward

Smart Board Lessonhttp://exchange.smarttech.com/details.html?id=94d8b24b-e3bb-4161-b044-79556ff56230

This lesson demonstrates to students how to simplify fractions and why we simplify them. It also demonstrates more than one method on simplify fractions. Which is great because it allows students to chose what method they understand best and like to use. Many times in math there is only one method, and it can be hard for students to understand it, but by having two it gives students more opportunities to learn how to do a problem multiple ways and it also allows more students to understand how to do the problem. One of the methods many methods may come easier to them, which allows them to learn successfully.

It also gives great examples for the students to see how each method works. I do think it needs more pictures and examples for the students to see, so that they can see what it looks like physically and not mentally.

Next three slides are pictures of slides from the smart board lesson.

Smart board Activity

http://exchange.smarttech.com/details.html?id=2663f58a-c26b-4714-b9e2-a381ec53fd18

I really like this activity because it allows students to physically see fractions and it gives students the opportunity to go up to the board and demonstrate how they found the answer to the question being asked

It also shows where fractions can be seen in everyday life and it compares different types. Which I think is important for students to see.

This activity would be really great in a lesson because it allows students to explore and think on their own about each question and learn from each other about what approach they should take on how to find the answer and why that answer is the correct. It just allows students to work independently and with each other.

The only changes that I might add are too have more questions and maybe make this a race between groups to add a little more energy and fun to it.

Fraction Games

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/math.htm#fractions

These games allow student to practice what they are learning while having fun doing it. They are able to chose from a wide variety of games and these games are great for review and allow students to be able to practice fractions without having to do worksheets and problems all day.

Fraction Help

http://www.mathsisfun.com/fractions-menu.html

This website provides extra examples and goes step by step through each problem. This allows students to have extra help they may need at home or when I am not available to help them right away.

It also allows students to learn from another source that they may understand better because not all students will always understand you when you are teaching them. So some times it is useful to have that extra source available to help you.

Resources Used

All of these resources are great tools to have in a lesson, and I think they will help the students learn in a more efficient manor.

I would use these resources by first giving the students the lesson, which some adjustments. Then I would do the activity with do see how well they understood about simplifying fractions. I would then give them the website that shows them how to do the problem in case they do not understand it, they have a resource. Then lastly I would allow them to play the games to help practice what they have learned and improve their skills.

Universal Design

Definition: set of principles for curriculum development that give all individuals equal opportunities to learn. The main goal is to maximize the learning of students with a wide range of characteristics by applying UD principles to all aspects of instruction.

With this in mind, all of these resources used together they allow students to expand on their learning and gives them the opportunities they need to learn. It also applies to all types of learning because students are able to learn from so many sources other than just the teacher, and they are able to do so much more than just worksheets.