CTGE 5227 Personal Learning Path

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Post 9: Finding Angle Measurements Using Fractions

March 21, 2022

This past week, we started introducing measuring angles to students. We had them do a few angles identifying questions (are the angles right, acute, or obtuse?) and then we had them practice measuring angles with a protractor and how that's done. They seemed to do really well with that and knowing which degree numbers to read based on if the angle is acute or obtuse. Starting today, however, we introduced them to finding out angle measurements using fractions. We started off with this problem involving a clock: We taught them that no matter how big or small a circle is, the total amount of degrees it equals is 360. Once they got that concept down, they knew that 360 degrees is the whole. We then showed them how you can divide the clock (or circle up) into 4 pieces because you could draw a line at every 3rd number. We then were able to come up with the equation 360/4=n. After dividing we know that n=90degrees. Once they felt comfortable with this, we had them move on to these next ...

Post 8: Math Concept Game: Among Us!

March 14, 2022

For my math concept game, I was actually given this idea by a substitute teacher at the school I'm student teaching in! It is called WHO'S THE IMPOSTER? featuring the online game Among Us that I'm sure many young students are familiar with. If you are not familiar with Among Us, essentially it is an online game where you play as 1 of 10 crewmates aboard a spaceship, all responsible for certain tasks. Among the crewmates, there is an imposter, who is trying to take over the spaceship. Through meetings and deliberation, the other crewmates must figure out who the imposter is and kick them off the ship before it's too late. It is up to the imposter to convince the other crewmates that they are innocent. It has become an extremely popular game For this math concept game, students are asked to solve adding and subtracting fractions equations through several activities and keep track of their findings on their notes sheet seen below For the first activity, students must sol...

Post 7: Line Plots with Fractions

March 07, 2022

This week students started learning how to read line plots. First, they started looking at line plots with just whole numbers and learned how they are to be read, different vocabulary that goes along with line plots, and how we solve to find certain data. Soon, we went into line plots with fractions like the one seen below: It seemed that adding in fractions along with the whole numbers stumped a few students, even though all the concepts of reading the line plot remained the same. There were several questions accompanying this line plot that also stumped a few students, especially the question below: A lot of students saw the mixed number and their brains immediately jumped back to the previous lesson on how to subtract mixed numbers. They ended up getting 1 and 1/4 as their answer, which I found interesting that they were able to bring in their prior knowledge, even though the answer was wrong. We had to redirect them a few times and explain that we need to look at the number of...

Post 6: Fraction Games

February 28, 2022

This week was February Break so we did not have school. I took this time to look into some math games involving fractions! The students have been working really hard with their fractions and I've noticed most of the work my cooperating teacher has been assigning them has been worksheets or pages in their workbooks. I wanted to see if I could find some online fractions games that would not only be fun, but helpful and relevant to what they are learning. The website Splash Learning has tons of games for many mathematical concepts for all grade levels. For 4th grade, I enjoyed the game where students have to match the fraction to the model shown. A pie chart or square model will be shown that illustrates a certain fraction. Students must then click on a jellyfish that shows the corresponding fraction. Although this may be a simple task, I still think it is important for students to get practice visualizing fractions. You can check out this game here: https://www.splashlear...

Post 5: Multiplying Fractions

February 22, 2022

This week, my class started learning how to multiply fractions with like denominators and write equations using unit fractions. We had a whole discussion about how multiplication is just repeated addition which I found to be a nice tie-in to what we talked about in this class! First, we showed the students a fraction like 4/5. Then we told them to break it down into an addition problem with unit fractions. Unit fractions are just fractions with 1 as the numerator. So their equitation should look like 1/5 + 1/5 + 1/5 +1/5 = 4/5. Because multiplication is just repeated addition, we asked them how many times is 1/5 being added? (4 times) So to make it into a multiplication equation, we can just say 1/5 x 4 = 4/5 It is important to stress how you must only multiply the numerator; never multiply the denominator! Once they understood this concept, it was time to start multiplying fractions with like denominators. We would give them a problem like 2/8 x 3/8 = ? Knowing that you onl...

Post 4

February 15, 2022

This past week, my class started to learn how to add and subtract mixed numbers with common denominators. We spent tons of time showing them the steps needed to take and went over how to borrow whole numbers when subtracting. The students did really well on all their assignments, class worksheets, and homework with this unit. My cooperating teacher and I felt that they were ready to take their exam so they took it Friday. Much to our surprise, many of the students failed! Looking back at their work, we found that so many of them made careless mistakes in their math and didn't read directions or word problems carefully. We decided to let a few of them retake the test with guided help from myself. I gave them a refresher lesson on adding and subtracting mixed numbers, borrowing whole numbers, and even converting mixed numbers and improper fractions. Even with guidance, it still was a struggle for some of the students. How could they do so well in class and on their homework but so p...

Post 3: Converting Improper Fractions and Mixed Numbers

February 08, 2022

As my class continues to learn about fractions, I continue to learn as well. This past week, the class has been learning how to convert improper fractions into mixed numbers and vice versa. When I first saw this, I panicked a little, knowing that I would most likely continue working in small groups with students to review some questions together. I don't even remember learning how to do this. After watching my cooperating teacher's lesson I felt more confident once again. Still, though, it felt like I was learning this for the first time. To get an improper fraction into a mixed number, you divide the numerator by the denominator to get the whole number and whatever your remainder is will become your new numerator to go over your original denominator. For example; 11/9. You would divide the numerator (11) by the denominator (9). 9 goes into 11 once so 1 would be your whole number. We then subtract 11-9 and get a remainder of 2 or 2/9. So our answer is 1 and 2/9 T...

Post 2

January 30, 2022

As my student teaching continues, I am finding myself becoming much more confident in my ability to teach fractions. Some students in the class are still struggling with creating equivalent fraction and simplifying fractions, so my cooperating teacher has let me review and teach in small groups with specific students. We are using the rainbow method of finding the factors of the numerator and denominator in order to find the Greatest Common Factor. Some students are still struggling with that as well since some of their multiplication skills are a bit weak. After we work through that, we circle our GCF and divide our fraction by it. I remind them "whatever I do to the top, I do to the..." "bottom" they say "Whatever I do to the bottom I do to the...." "top" they say I like to see that they actually understand what to do. I then ask them what our new numerator and our new denominator is. It takes them a second to figure out the division but they...

Post 1: Fractions

January 25, 2022

A topic of math that I find myself being a bit uncomfortable with is fractions. I remember dreading them in school and even having my 3rd-grade teacher yell at the class for not understanding. Given my lack of proficiency with fractions, I don't feel the most comfortable having to teach about them to students. This is something I would definitely love to change as the semester progresses. Funny enough, I just started my student-teaching placement in a 4th-grade classroom and what are they focusing on right now for math? Fractions! Right now they are learning how to simplify fractions using the Greatest Common Factor, create equivalent fractions, and see if fractions are greater than, less than, or equal to one another by cross multiplying. Soon they will learn how to add and subtract fractions with the same and different denominators. I've already started learning so much in just a short amount of time and I'm already starting to feel a bit more comfortable. I've also ...

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