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How to Use Children's Literature to Teach Fractions

Interdisciplinary lessons can be a powerful teaching tool, as students can use more than one skill set to help them understand a concept and retain information. Pairing literature with mathematics helps children place mathematical concepts within a narrative, making the abstract concepts in mathematics more relevant. Teaching fractions offers several possibilities for creating a narrative around a concept, or creating activities drawn from a story. These include plot lines involving sharing, cooking or recipes, or other tasks that require several steps, tools or produce a product that can be divided.

Instructions

    • 1

      Determine which concepts you plan to teach. Lessons introducing awareness of fractions can involve simple addition or subtraction of fractions. Multiplying fractions should be reserved for after awareness of fractions is established.

    • 2

      Choose a story involving either an explicit discussion of fractions or a story in which fractions are implied in the plot line. "The Doorbell Rang" by Pat Hutchins centers on dividing a plate of cookies among an increasing number of unexpected guests. Lists of books recommended for teaching fractions are available at Linda's Learning Links, Open Wide, Look Inside, and Texas A&M.

    • 3

      Read the book several days before presenting the lesson. Decide how to work the reading into the lesson plan. You may introduce the concept alone first, read the story before discussing fractions, or intersperse the reading with discussions and activities concerning fractions.

    • 4

      Discuss the concepts introduced by the book with your students. The themes of an incomplete task, sharing work or a treat lead naturally into discussing fractions. Ask your students questions about how a single task or item can be divided into two or more parts. "Full House: An Invitation to Fractions" by Dale Anne Dodds features a single cake divided among several house guests, and the themes can be expanded to include guests eating more than one slice, or additional guests sharing rooms or beds.

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