Preschool Lesson Plans

Incorporating Montessori Elements

Toddler Lesson Plans

Fraction Model Practice and Cards

Activity:  

Fraction Model Practice and Cards

Lesson plan developed by:  Aurora Tollestrup, BS Ed

*Note: This lesson is designed to be used many times and can be a helpful classroom tool for many adapted lesson plans and work.

Age Group:

• School Age
• (3rd Grade)

Objectives:  

Children will:

• use visual models of fractions to demonstrate an understanding of fractions as a whole.
• compare fractions using visual models.

Fraction Model Practice and Cards

Fraction Model Practice and Cards

Fraction Model Practice and Cards

Washington Common Core Standard

3.NF

• Number and Operations-Fractions 
  
• Develop understanding of fractions as numbers
  
• Understand a fraction 1/b as the quantity formed by 1 part when a whole is partitioned into b equal parts; understand a fraction a/b as the quantity formed by a parts of size 1/b

Materials: 

• fractions shapes cut from foam
• fraction cards
• fraction labels

Procedure: 

To create the materials:

• Cut out equal fraction parts from sturdy foam.
• Print or draw fraction shapes and written fraction labels on heavy paper or cardstock.
• Color code the correct matches by placing a colored dot on the backs of the matches.

For the lesson:

• Arrange fraction shapes, cards, and labels on a shallow tray.
• Give a brief demonstration of how the shapes, cards, and labels should be matched and checked for accuracy.
  
• Be sure to explain the purpose of this activity, which is to use models to practice and compare fractions.
• Place the tray with contents on an appropriate shelf in your classroom for children to use independently and then be assessed by teachers.

Assessment: 

• Assess and record the children’s ability to match the cards with their appropriate labels when prompted by the children.

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Montessori Materials

While the usual classroom supplies such as crayons and paper are used in the Montessori classroom, there are also many materials that are specific to the Montessori Method. These include counting beads, dressing frames, practical life materials and more. These materials are hands-on and give students a tool to complete their work which also allows for a constant way for children to correct their own work without the need of the teacher. Over time, the materials and concepts become more challenging when the child is ready. Often, materials are arranged on trays or in shallow baskets that allow children to easily take the materials to a work mat which has been laid on the floor.

Not all Montessori materials are catalog ordered necessities. There are basic supplies such as counting beads, work mats, maps, and organized coloring utensils. Many of these materials can be teacher made or purchased.

How to incorporate these materials:

• Provide a variety of different learning materials that appeal to all five senses
• Place materials on low shelves in baskets or shallow trays
• Allow children to decide which materials to use when they are working
• Give instructions on how to use these materials
• Slowly add these new materials so that children aren’t overwhelmed
• Design materials so that they grow with the child and his or her ability level

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