Fractions - What is a fraction? - Presentation

The educational material on fractions begins with the fundamental question: What is a fraction? Students are encouraged to explore this concept by recalling key terms such as numerator, denominator, unit fraction, and non-unit fraction. A numerator is identified as the top number of a fraction, indicating the number of parts being considered, while the denominator is the bottom number, representing the total number of equal parts into which the whole is divided. A unit fraction is defined as a fraction with a numerator of one, and a non-unit fraction has a numerator greater than one. The session includes activities that prompt students to sort and categorise fractions, reinforcing their understanding of these terms.

Further activities involve using the Frayer model to define and exemplify fractions. For instance, students are asked to describe unit and non-unit fractions, numerators, and denominators using this model, which requires them to provide definitions, characteristics, examples, and non-examples of each term. Additionally, students engage with visual representations of fractions through bar models, number lines, and drawings to deepen their comprehension. The use of Cuisenaire rods in Activity 4 offers a tactile and interactive method to explore the concept of fractions, allowing students to visually compare the size of different fractions. The lesson also includes reasoning exercises to develop critical thinking, such as determining whether splitting a shape into four parts always results in quarters, and identifying incorrect representations of fractions.