Fractions (presentation four)

What materials are needed for this activity?

The directress needs the tray of fractions and the corresponding cards of the written form of the fractions. She first does the first tray of fractions and cards and then the second tray of fractions and the cards.

How is the fourth presentation done with the fractions?

The directress teaches the child how to combine the concrete fractions with the abstract written form. She begins the activity by reminding the child of previous work done with the fractions and the cards. She tells him that they are going to match the fractions to their respective cards.

The directress places the ‘1’ card in front of the child and asks him if he remembers what number it is. She tells him that this how ‘1 whole’ is written. She then asks the child to point to the ‘1 whole’ inset in the frame, once he finds it, the directress shows him how to place the card on top of the inset in the frame.

She then places the ‘1/2’ card on the mat and asks the child what number it is. The directress tells him to place the ‘1/2’ card onto the half inset in the frame. She then tells the child that there is another half inset and to place the other ‘1/2’ card onto the remaining half inset. The directress tells him that two halves make a whole and is a family of two.

The directress then places one ‘1/3’ card on the mat and asks the child if he remembers what it is. The child should say ‘ one third’. She then asks him if he remembers which inset is ‘1/3’. The child is encouraged to place the ‘1/3’ card on top of the ‘1/3’ inset in the frame. She shows him that there are another 2 third insets and he is asked to place another 1/3 card on an inset and finally to place the last 1/3 card on the third inset. The directress tells the child that three-thirds make a whole and is a family of three.

The child is encouraged to continue in the same manner for the rest of the first and second fraction inset trays.

What skills does the child acquire by doing this activity?

The child learns more about the numerator and denominator, as well as this activity helps the child to form a concept of fractions through feeling them.

Looking for more Montessori activities?

Here is a list of all the Montessori Maths activities including Early Maths, Introduction to the Decimal System, Seguin Boards, The Hundred Board, The Short Bead Stair, Bead Chains, The Snake Game, Group Operations, The Large Number Rods, Recording with the Small Number Rods, The Short Bead Stair, The Strip Boards, The Boards, The Stamp Game, The Abacus, The Dot Game, and Fractions. Just click on the page you want to learn about to go there.