Learning Opportunities

This session has been completed.

FRACTIONS ARE HARD! A Mathematical and Pedagogical Overview of the Troublesome Topic

Presented By

James Tanton

Session Details

Date Time
October 28, 20199:00 am to 3:30 pm

Location

Edmonton (Fantasyland Hotel)
17700 - 87 Avenue
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Grade Levels

All

The story of fractions is muddled and somewhat confusing in the traditional curriculum. First we present fractions to students as a "call to action" to find parts of a whole -- identify a third of the kittens, take a fourth of the pie -- and as such, fractions are not numbers. Arithmetic is not discussed as it is not applicable. But next we locate points on the number line between integers to suggest that fractions are numbers and so can be added and subtracted. But it still remains unclear if fractions can be multiplied and divided. The area model is then typically brought in to round out the arithmetic of fractions. But what then is a fraction, actually? Is it still part of a whole or not? Which model of a fraction am I meant to use when? How am I meant to know?

In this session we'll take a deep-dive into the mathematics and the teaching of fractions and put a solid framework behind the ever-changing models of fractions we present to students throughout their primary, middle, and high-school years.

Target Audience

Teachers

Also Recommended For

Instructional/ Learning Coaches; District Leaders/Consultants

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