Students use Scratch to create representations of fractions using fraction circle pieces, by modifying a functioning example program.
computer-based
Students use Scratch to create representations of fractions using fraction circle pieces, by modifying a functioning example program. They decompose the fraction (a/b) that they want to represent into a sum of unit fractions (1/b), and express this as a number sentence. They learn that the denominator (b) represents the number of equal parts needed to make a whole and that the numerator (a) represents the number of parts being considered. They program the computer, using custom blocks, to select the size of the unit fraction, the number of unit fractions needed to represent the fraction, the fraction circle picture, and the corresponding number sentence. Students’ exploration is guided by the use of the example program and a journal page.
Students use Fraction Circle pieces to represent a fraction as a sum of unit fractions.
Students learn how to instruct the computer to place fraction circle pieces rather than physically placing pieces themselves. Students build scripts with a small set of custom instructions. They will navigate the Scratch environment, add/remove/repeat blocks, work with custom blocks, and run a project.