Numeracy

Give students a strip of paper, piece of string, or a piece of licorice. (Play dough or plasticine “worms” would work as well.) Ask them to cut the strip/piece in half. Ask, “How do you know that it is half?” Observe students to determine if they:
- know that there should be two pieces
- fold the object in half before cutting or cut without folding
- match the two pieces to see if they are the same length or say that it is half because there are two pieces even if they are not equal
Have students identify everyday situations that use fractions (e.g., sharing a chocolate bar with a friend, cutting an apple or sandwich in half, telling time—half past/quarter to, distance—halfway).
Begin with concept of one half. Give students a letter-sized piece of paper. Ask them to fold it in half. Do not give further directions. Have students compare their halves. Some students will fold the paper on short side (hotdog) and others on the long side (hamburger). Ask the following:
- How many parts do you have? (2)
- How do you know that each part is one half? Expected answer: “There are two parts and both of them are equal.”
Exploring Quarters/Fourths and Eighths Have students fold a strip into half and then into half again. Ask them the following:
- How many parts they have altogether? (4)
- Are they equal?
- Do you know what we call one part out of the 4 parts?
Introduce both terms—one-fourth and one-quarter. Connect to money (4 quarters in a loonie) to help students understand the terminology. Refold and have the strip folded in half again. Before opening it up, ask them to predict how many parts they think they have now. After opening it, ask how many parts altogether? Do you know what we call one part out of 8 parts? Introduce the term one-eighth.
Extend their thinking by asking what they think you would call
- one part out of 3 parts?
- one part out of 6 parts?
- one part out of 10 parts?

Have students complete the Fractions Journal Entry and send to their teacher.
Fractions Journal Entry

Here is a fun Fractions Matching Card Game students can play. They use the cards to play "Concentration". Matching the picture of the fraction to the written fraction with the numerator and the denominator.
Fractions Matching Game

Here is a really good visual overview with more information introducing students to fractions.
Introduction to Fractions

Have students complete questions 1, 2, and 3 and send to their teacher.
Note: Questions 4 and 5 are too hard. Ignore those questions please.
Fractions Questions

Read the book "Whole-y Cow Fractions Are Fun" by Taryn Souders.
Online Book: Whole-y Cow Fractions Are Fun

Have students complete the Fractions Journal Entry #2 and send to their teacher.
Fractions Journal Entry #2

Here is a fun Fractions Online Game students can play.
Fraction Matcher Game

Read the book "Apple Fractions" by Jerry Pallotta.
Online Book: Apple Fractions

Here is another fun Fractions Online Game students can play.
Pizza Fractions Game

Have students complete the Fractions Journal Entry #3 and send to their teacher.
Fractions Journal Entry #3