Kali Kinser
MATH 3303
Childrens Literature in the Mathematics Classroom- Oral Presentation
Childrens Literature Book:
Cleary, B. (2011). A fraction's goal -- parts of a whole. Minneapolis, Minn: Milbrook
Books.
Mathematical Concept:
Teach students fractional units and explains how they are parts of a whole.
Determine equivalent fractions.
Teaches examples of halves, fourths, and eighths
Add simple fractions
Other Subject Incorporated:
Science. The students learn about matter and energy through the baking activity.
Grade Level:
2
nd
NCTM Process Skills Addressed:
Problem Solving: The students will solve problems adding fractions together in order to
double the cookie recipe activity.
Communication: Students will be required to communicate how they are contributing to
the cookie recipe and must communicate through words and by mouth to the teacher why
cutting a cookie down the middle is now two halves, etc.
Connections: The student is connecting knowledge of mathematical fractions to real
world problems (baking)
Representations: The activity as a whole is a representation of fractions being used to
make something greater.
Mathematics TEKS:
(3)
Number and operations. The student applies mathematical process standards to recognize
and represent fractional units and communicates how they are used to name parts of a
whole. The student is expected to:
(A)
partition objects into equal parts and name the parts, including halves, fourths, and
eighths, using words;
(B)
explain that the more fractional parts used to make a whole, the smaller the part; and the
fewer the fractional parts, the larger the part;
(C)
use concrete models to count fractional parts beyond one whole using words and
recognize how many parts it takes to equal one whole; and
(D)
identify examples and non-examples of halves, fourths, and eighths
Science TEKS:
(5)
Matter and energy. The student knows that matter has physical properties and those
properties
determine how it is described, classified, changed, and used. The student is expected to:
(A)
classify matter by physical properties, including shape, relative mass, relative
temperature, texture, flexibility, and whether material is a solid or liquid;
(B)
compare changes in materials caused by heating and cooling;
(C)
demonstrate that things can be done to materials to change their physical properties such
as cutting, folding, sanding, and melting;
Preparation:
Students will need to be familiar with the idea of what fractions are, how they are written,
and a general idea of what they are.
Materials needed:
Red and Green Fraction Pieces
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup rolled oats
Mixing Bowl & Baking Sheet
Oven
Description of Lesson:
Fraction Booklet-11
2009: This lesson plan is the property of the Mensa
Education & Research Foundation,
www.mensafoundation.org. It is provided as a
complimentary service to the public. Reproduction and
distribution without modification are allowed. Images,
links and linked content referenced herein are the
property of the originating entities.
Imagine that the cookies were soooo good that you want to
make a double batch of them next time. That means you
need to use twice as much of everything than you did the
first time.
Thats easy with the egg, because
you would just use two eggs instead
of one egg, right?
But what about the oats?
Look at how many oats we used: cup. Follow me closely
now. We need to add cup to cup. You can do this if
you think hard. Well do this one in steps.
Step 1: We need to add 3 + 3 because the top number tells
us how many we have, right? If we have 3 and we need to
add 3 more, we write that 3 + 3.
What does that make? That makes 6!
Fraction Booklet-12
2009: This lesson plan is the property of the Mensa
Education & Research Foundation,
www.mensafoundation.org. It is provided as a
complimentary service to the public. Reproduction and
distribution without modification are allowed. Images,
links and linked content referenced herein are the
property of the originating entities.
Step 2: So, how much is that? Now we have
6
/
4
cups. Can
you read
6
/
4
? Did you say 6 fourths? Youre becoming a
fraction spy for sure!
But we dont have a measuring cup for
6
/
4
, so we have to
break it down. We call that reducing. Its a big word, and
you know how I feel about big words!
Step 3: Remember, the bottom number tells
us how many makes a whole. So, if we have a
4 on the bottom, how many does it take to make a whole
cup? Four! Good job! So, if we take 4 away from the top
number, we will have 1 whole cup, plus what is left. Can you
take 4 away from 6?
6 4 = 2
Good job! So, now we have 1 cup
of oats plus
2
/
4
cups of oats.
Where does Science come in?
During the baking process ask the students what happens to butter when it melts. Melt the
butter and explain that it changes in physical matter state. SolidLiquid. Explain that
when the cookies are in the oven, they change in state. After the cookies have been fully
baked and cooled, explain the physical property change of cutting the cookie into halves.
An entire science lesson over matter and energy can be taught during this lesson while
preparing to bake the cookies.
Suggested Extensions/Modifications:
To extend this lesson a little further, after the cookies are baked I would have each
student cut their cookie with a plastic knife into halves, fourths, and eighths before they
can eat their cookie.
Source:
Mensa For Kids. Mensa Education & Research Foundation. Fractions Action (2009,
January 1). Retrieved October 26, 2014.
www.mensaforkids.com
