There’s a fine line between numerators and denominators. Only a fraction of people will find the humor in that. Okay, all kidding aside, many people shy away from math. Throw fractions into the mix and well, most run for the hills.
Don’t be scared! Fractions are misunderstood fun. Help the mathematically struggling kids (or adults, no judgment here!) in your life make sense of them with pattern blocks. Pattern blocks? Yup, pattern blocks. Those green little triangles and blue rhombuses help learners of all ages conceptualize fractions. Here’s how I like teaching fractions with pattern blocks:
1. Naming and Counting Fractions
Great for use with: 3.NF.A.1
Students get hung up on naming fractions. Sure, one-third and one-fourth and so on make sense, but one half? One whole? It can throw kids off why there’s no one-second and one-first. Use pattern blocks to name and count unit fractions. If one green triangle represents one-third, then one-third + one-third = two-thirds is just like one triangle + one triangle = two triangles.
2. Adding Fractions with Like Denominators
Great for use with: 4.NF.B.3
A common mistake students make when combining fractions is adding both the numerators and denominators. One-fourth plus two-fourths does not equal three-eighths! Replace the fraction name with a pattern block! Since a square represents a fourth, substitute the word “square” for “fourth.” One square + two squares = three squares just like one-fourth + two-fourths = three-fourths.
3. Subtracting Fractions with Like Denominators
Great for use with: 4.NF.B.3
Pattern blocks provide concrete manipulatives that can literally be removed for subtraction. Your kinesthetic learners will love this! Students struggling with naming fractions and their basic fact fluency can build the initial fraction and then physically take away the pieces to count what’s left. As students work, encourage them to find other equivalent denominators and convert the pattern block fractions before subtracting. Four sixths – three sixths = one sixth.
4. Multiplying Fractions by a Whole Number
Great for use with: 4.NF.B.4
Before using pattern blocks in this case, students should first understand what a fraction is and how to find the value of a fraction using pattern blocks. Once that level of understanding has been reached, practice multiplying fractions by numbers. For example: if students have 3/4 of a square and they want to multiply that fraction by 2, they could create another 3/4 of a square and count the parts we have (i.e. 6) versus the parts that make the whole
5. Equivalent Fractions
Great for use with: 3.NF.A.3; 4.NF.A.1; 4.NF.A.2
To use pattern blocks, students can start by creating a fraction using a specific number of blocks. for example, they can create a fraction using three green triangles to represent 3/12. They can then use different colored blocks to create equivalent fractions. In this scenario, 6 red hexagons or 4 yellow squares. This helps students understand that different fractions can represent the same amount. The visual representation allows budding mathematicians to understand fractions through a more concrete lens.
For example, students can use two triangles to make one square, which represents the fraction 2/4. this can be simplified to 1/2, which is the same as one of the hexagon shapes.
ACTIONABLE STEPS: Pattern blocks are a fun, interactive way to teach fractions. Try them out today! How are you teaching fractions with pattern blocks? Let us know in the comments below!
