Max Maths, Year 3, Learn together, Mixed numbers and improper fractions

In the Year 3 curriculum of Max Maths, students are introduced to the concept of mixed numbers and improper fractions in a section titled "Learn Together." The lesson begins with a practical example where Jade has coloured in 3 and a half rectangles. To understand how many halves have been coloured, the instruction is to divide each rectangle into halves and count them. By visualising the rectangles split into halves, students can easily count and determine that Jade has coloured a total of 7 halves. This exercise helps children grasp the idea that a whole can be divided into equal parts, and in this case, each whole rectangle consists of 2 halves.

The lesson continues with another example featuring Samir, who has coloured in 2 and three-quarters of circles. To find out how many quarters Samir has coloured, students are again encouraged to divide each circle into quarters and count them. Through this visual division and counting exercise, it becomes clear that Samir has coloured 11 quarters in total. The lesson then reinforces the concept that the mixed number 2 and three-quarters is equivalent to the improper fraction 11/4, as there are 11 quarters altogether. Similarly, the mixed number 3 and a half is shown to be equal to the improper fraction 7/2. These examples are designed to help students make connections between mixed numbers and improper fractions, enhancing their understanding of fractions as a whole.