Purpose: to provide students with opportunities to maintain their level of mastery of adding fractions with mixed numbers using concrete materials.
Problem of the Day
Materials:
Teacher –
A written prompt on the chalkboard, dry-erase board, or overhead projector (e.g. equation depicting addition of fractions with concrete materials) or a concrete example of some part of the process (e.g. sum of two sets of wholes and fractional parts).
Students -
Concrete materials if appropriate
Paper and pencil to record their responses if appropriate
Description:
Teacher presents a “problem of the day” that focuses on a particular skill or conceptual understanding of the addition of fractions with mixed numbers process. The problem can be written in nature (e.g. equation or word phrases that represent combining fractions with mixed numbers) where students respond with concrete objects or the problem can be represented with concrete materials. The “problem of the day” is displayed as students enter the room or as the period begins. Students are asked to “solve” the problem and provided necessary directions. After an appropriate amount of time, the teacher and the students “talk through” the problem and its solution. Students can individually describe how they approached the problem. Specific positive verbal reinforcement is provided by the teacher as well as specific feedback regarding misunderstandings students may have. Teacher notes students who seem to be having difficulty for the purpose of reviewing/re-modeling appropriate skills and concepts.
