Manipulative fractions are designed to illustrate to children how fractions are calculated. This method of teaching fractions gives children a hands on experience by physically showing the students how fractions are calculated and how they work. This technique helps children learn by seeing the different shapes and how they work together.
One type of fraction manipulative is a fraction bar. This is usually a rectangle shape that is cut out of a piece of paper. Students are often given several fraction bars and are instructed to color them to represent various different fractions. For example if one fraction bar is not divided and the whole thing is colored one color, it represents a whole; however, if the teacher instructs the children to divide the rectangle in half and color each half a different color, it illustrates the fraction "1/2." Teachers can then explain that two halves equal a whole. Teachers then ask students to divide another rectangle into thirds: "1/3." This illustrates that three thirds also equals a whole.
Teachers also can have the students write the fraction on the shape and compare the different fractions to illustrate which is larger.
Another common way to use fraction manipulatives is with the shape of a circle. This can be illustrated by handing out circles to children that look like pies or pizza. Students can divide the circle into different fractions. They can color the different fractions or cut them out and compare the shapes.
Another use for fraction manipulatives is to teach children to add fractions. With several circles cut into different fraction pieces, teachers can illustrate how fractions are added. For example, a teacher can point out that two pieces cut into 1/4s are equal to 1/2 of the circle. There are many ways to illustrate how adding pieces together equals larger pieces of the circle.