Dividing Fractions

We were lucky enough to snag the laptops today so we thought we should do some blogging!  We have been covering multiplying fractions for almost two weeks and our next topic is division so the students were in charge of finding out exactly how that is done.  We all had a good giggle when some found a dividing fraction song and Im sure it was stuck in many heads that afternoon!  Some students also found videos that were from the Khan Academy that went through each step for dividing fractions and many found that one to be quite helpful.  So tomorrow we will dive deeper into the world of division of fractions and continue to update you on our progress!

Multiplying Fractions

We have spent two weeks working on multiplying fractions.  We have reviewed terms such as: numerator, denominator, mixed numbers and improper fractions.  We have multiplied fractions by whole numbers and fractions by fractions.  We have modeled using rectangles, circles, number lines and counters.  Here is the beginning of our "How-to" project that the students are doing.  They are creating an instruction manual for others that can help them with multiplying fractions.  We wanted to use the computers to open up our presentation options but...alas...none availabe.  Next time!

Reflecting on Blogging Thus Far...

So as my course winds down and our computer time is non-existant until after the semester change I thought we could take the time to reflect on our blogging and computer experience in math.  From my perspective it was awesome to take time for the students to search and explore on our various topics.  It was difficult integrating it completely due to the ratio of computers to students in this school.  I would like to open up the use of the computers to allow students to demonstrate their understanding using the various tools shared with us by Alan Levine.  As a student, it was incredibly freeing and validating to be able to express myself in a way that felt true to me and I would love nothing more than to pass that feeling on to my own students.

Here are just a few of the reflections that we completed:
Krystel
Brittany
Nina