Max Maths, Year 4, Learn together, Parts of a whole and equivalent fractions (4)

In an engaging activity from Max Maths for Year 4, students explore the concept of fractions by using pieces of paper to represent parts of a whole. Padma, Toby, Han, and Jade each demonstrate a different fraction by folding their paper into equal parts and colouring some of them. Padma folds her paper in half and colours one of the two equal parts, effectively illustrating one-half. Toby divides his paper into six equal sections and colours half of them, showing three-sixths. Han's paper is separated into eight parts, with half coloured to represent four-eighths. Lastly, Jade folds her paper into ten equal segments and colours half, displaying five-tenths. Through this hands-on activity, students can visually grasp the idea of equivalent fractions and how different fractions can represent the same quantity.

The lesson continues by encouraging students to see the connections between the fractions demonstrated by the four children. They are guided to understand that one-half, three-sixths, four-eighths, and five-tenths all represent the same value, albeit in different forms. This concept is key to understanding equivalent fractions and is further reinforced through workbook exercises on pages 122 to 123. The visual representation of folding and colouring paper serves as an effective tool for students to comprehend and remember the equivalence among fractions, laying a solid foundation for more advanced mathematical concepts.