#4thchat is a hashtag for teachers or anyone to talk about educational issues relating to 4th grade. Using #4thchat will create a network of 4th grade teachers or teachers working with 9-10 year olds across the world. We welcome anyone who 1. teaches 4th grade 2 .Works with 4th grade students and or 4th grade teachers 3. Likes 4th grade teachers (Groupies are encouraged).
Doing well! Got back last night from a tw week trip to Ireland, London, and Amsterdam! My daughter is in the Purdue band and they marched in Ireland’s St. Patrick’s Day parade! So fun! #4thchat
A1: I pretty much start reviewing fractions from 3rd grade right away with our DOM daily reviews. #4thchat Then start the unit to hit it hard around October. #4thchat
First time joining #4thchat :) Any great NGSS resources out there? We use Mystery Science. which is GREAT and engaging. But need more resources to dive deeper into the standards!
A1: Fraction understanding is really important as a base for so many things. We start some in Sept. and build on those ideas throughout the year. #4thchat
#4thchat A1 We taught fractions in unit 9 of our Pearson curriculum. Need some solid number sense (add, sub, mult, div) first. Fractions are several weeks.
We used google photos when our family went to Hawaii this summer. Everyone put their photos in google photo and then we could see them together. I created an iBook from them with @bookcreator to share with family. #4thchat
We used google photos when our family went to Hawaii this summer. Everyone put their photos in google photo and then we could see them together. I created an iBook from them with @bookcreator to share with family. #4thchat
That happened to me the first year I taught #4thchat. Didn’t dig into fractions until January….yikes! Made sure to change up that boo-boo pretty fast the next year.
Oh NO! No apologies. You are welcome tweet any questions and someone may answer. This is an open, learning chat. We just try to put out some weekly topics as a focus. We are glad you are here! #4thchat
This is my fourth year teaching fractions and have done it differently every year. Conceptually alone it is hard for students, so a lot of hands-on modeling has been most beneficial (tiles, etc). #4thchat#fractions
A3: #4thchat Important to be able to place fractions on a number line using benchmark fractions to estimate the fraction location. Need to go above 1 too.
You have such wonderful conceptual activities that are so helpful! #4thchat I love the one where they have to put a group of fraction cards in order on a number line…gets them overtime, cause they forget all about equivalent fractions!
A3: Equivalent fraction concepts can be tricky to start, but students catch on quickly. Also, creating a number line can stump them. #4thchat#growthmindset
A:2 The essential standards on our report card for fractions are.
1. Recognize and generate equivalent fractions.
2. Compare two fractions with different numerators and denominators.
3. Multiplication of a fraction by a whole number. #4thchat
A3: ALL.OF.THEM! I really struggled learning fractions myself, but teaching them has made me a better teacher, I think! But using visual models have really helped me/us! #4thchat
Honolulu was probably my least favorite of the islands as the hotel we stayed at was right in downtown…felt like I was in New York to be honest. My favorite was Maui :) #4thchat We did the Road to Hana. BEE U Ti FUL!
Started my unit with a number line this year and it has been phenomenal to build as the unit goes on - as new concepts are understood, they complete the number line further. #4thchat
Best book to get for fraction number talks, however, I ended up using my DOM spirals as number talks to help with time. #4thchat The book helped with choosing the review questions to use as the number talks.
A3 #4thchat Just drew this up. Ss need to be able to connect these concepts. Number line, bar model, fraction tile. Trace the fraction tiles for the other 2.
This group of kiddos is the first to really understand benchmark fractions of one half :) #4thchat mainly because I finally figured it out for myself and was able to explain my thinking to them :)
A3 #4thchat Equivalent fractions are a great time to give the identity property of mult some credit. Most people think n * 1 = n is trivial. However 1/2 * 2/2 = 2/4 (using 2/2 for 1) gives the identity prop some usefulness.
Mine want to use the cross multiplication for equivalent fractions instead of comparing fractions. :-? #4thchat Finally got most understanding that cross multiplying (darn butterflies) only works sometimes.
A4: Using pattern blocks to show different ways of making the same whole. Taking pictures and uploading to @seesaw to label and share what they have learned. #4thchat
A3 #4thchat Fractions is a key time for CRA (concrete representational abstract) key is to go back and forth lots. It's not a progression. And Ss conversations while doing this. Major brain connections so you have to have all three and discussion.
#4thchat I do have an hour long (I know!) free fraction webinar if anyone is really feeling they want to think about some of the issues related to teaching fractions. Just let me know...
A3 #4thchat Fractions is a key time for CRA (concrete representational abstract) key is to go back and forth lots. It's not a progression. And Ss conversations while doing this. Major brain connections so you have to have all three and discussion.
A5 #4thchat Fractions has been low tech. I need my fraction tiles, pattern blocks, markers, graph paper for number lines and Ss groups for discussion. Tech? @seesaw for Ss to share their learning.
When you have 4 or 5 fractions to compare and you’re cross multiplying the wrong ones over and over… easier for them to use a benchmark fraction to compare them to when trying to order that many fractions…not that it doesn’t work…not efficient #4thchat
A5 #4thchat I think online is fine, but Ss need to have concrete hands on manipulatives. That doesn't mean watching the T manipulate, or manipulating on a screen. Actual fraction tiles. And then drawing/representing. Then it's all helpful.
Her webinars are the best! Very informative and well constructed. Easy to follow and tons of activities and shares along the way! Two Thumbs Up! #4thchat
I have two sets of magnetic sets for the board and several other sets that students can work with. We also have everyone make fraction strips on a paper that makes it easy to compare. #4thchat
A6: Our math program had fraction kits come with it, however, I always have my students make one to take home to use as well. #4thchat That ability to make it helps them see equivalent fractions even better.
#4thchat The caution with fractions is that this is one big area of math where adults remember algorithms but not always why they work or when to use them. Best to work with Ss on what the fractions really are and connect that to an algorithm.
Q6 We have both. I have a variety of fraction manipulatives open for them to use, but there is something special about them making their own as well! #4thchat
#4thchat Another one to change how to teach. What exactly happens when you do 1/2 * 2/2 = 2/4? Your whole has double the pieces total and you have double the parts. It's more than the alogirthm.
#4thchat Or more of a challenge, what happens when you have 2/4 divided by 2/2 = 1/2. Your whole has half of the pieces total and you have half of the parts. Again more than the algorithm. You can combine fraction tiles to show.
Transforming your classroom into something and having activities to support the higher level content. Check out The Wild Card by Hope and Wade King. They do a lot of classroom transformations. #4thchat
Do you know of a way to make the GMTTC stand out? It gets buried in my Twitter feed and I forget to do it. How do other remember? They are so good to do. #4thchat
#4thchat A3 In addition to number lines, it is essential that students be able to use their reasoning about fractions. They should automatically know that 4/7 is greater than 5/11...no "algorithm" needed!
#4thchat Interesting post. I am ambivalent about how money fits in. Helps and causes issues. It's out there. As long as I still use base 10 blocks to connect fractions and decimals. Money and decimals [TDI 2] | Overthinking my teaching https://t.co/AjrvtB56ji
#4thchat A9 Love that Fractions are foundational. We get to set the stage. Teach fractions well and Ss are in great position for many things. Ss love learning there are an infinite number of fractions between 1 and 2. Eye opening just like counting numbers.
A9: When I taught love I loved all of the hands-on activities we did to help the students conceptualize their learning. I feared teaching ordering fractions the most but when Ss learned to compare to benchmark fractions it got so much easier. #4thchat
