Lesson Plan | Active Methodology | Fractions: Composing Shapes

Premises: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class duration, prior student study both with the Book and the beginning of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be carried out during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a large part of the available time.

Objective

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

This part of the lesson plan is key to building a solid foundation for students' understanding of how fractions can be represented and applied in the real world using geometric shapes. By outlining the objectives, students will have a clear view of what is expected of them and how it relates to daily life. This clarity helps steer the learning process, making it more focused and effective.

Objective Utama:

1. Understand and apply the concept of fractions in geometric shapes, identifying how a whole shape can be divided into equal parts.

2. Develop visualization and spatial reasoning skills by dividing geometric shapes like circles (think pizza) and squares (like plot of land) into fractions.

Objective Tambahan:

1. Enhance the ability to work together in groups during practical activities that involve fractions and geometric shapes.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction is designed to engage students with content they've previously studied and highlight how important fractions are in real life. By using relatable, problem-solving scenarios, students can start applying their knowledge of fractions immediately. Providing context with everyday examples shows the practical value of what they're learning, thereby boosting interest and motivation.

Problem-Based Situation

1. Imagine you're sharing a large pizza among four friends, including yourself. How do you use fractions to make sure everyone gets an equal slice?

2. Think about a square piece of land that will be divided into equal sections to create small gardens. If the land is split into four equal parts, what fraction will each garden take up?

Contextualization

Fractions pop up all around us, from splitting a chocolate bar to measuring out ingredients for a braai. Understanding fractions through geometric shapes not only simplifies abstract mathematics but also aids in solving real-life problems. For instance, knowing how to cut a pizza helps clarify how fractions function in real scenarios.

Development

Duration: (75 - 80 minutes)

The development phase is set up for students to practically and creatively apply their newly acquired knowledge of fractions through engaging activities. Each proposed activity reinforces their understanding of how fractions function in diverse settings, enhancing their mathematical reasoning and teamwork capabilities. By selecting one of the proposed activities, the teacher will create a dynamic learning environment where students can explore mathematical concepts in an enjoyable way.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 - Fraction Pizzaiolo

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Understand how to divide an object into equal parts and visually represent each fraction.

- Description: In groups, students will craft cardboard pizzas, with each slice representing a fraction of the whole. Each group will receive guidelines to divide the pizza into specific fractions, which they'll decorate reflecting the fraction they embody.

- Instructions:

• Divide students into groups of up to 5.

• Provide each group with a large cardboard pizza and blunt scissors.

• Have each group cut the pizza into the specified fractions (e.g., 1/2, 1/4, 1/8).

• Groups should decorate each fractional slice of their pizza according to what it represents, using bright markers, collages, etc.

• Once completed, each group will present their pizza, explaining how they made the divisions and how each piece reflects the corresponding fraction.

Activity 2 - Fractioned Land Builders

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply the concept of fractions in area division, honing planning and spatial organisation skills.

- Description: In this activity, students will strategically plan how to divide a large square piece of land into equal fractions for various uses like leisure spaces, gardens, or study areas, using graph paper to illustrate the land.

- Instructions:

• Organize students into groups of up to 5.

• Supply each group with a large sheet of graph paper representing the land.

• Each group must split the land into equal fractions as per the given scenario (e.g., 1/3 for the garden, 1/3 for leisure, and 1/3 for studying).

• Students should draw and colour the divided land, clearly marking each fraction.

• Each group will present their project, explaining how they divided the land and the thought process behind their divisions.

Activity 3 - The Great Fraction Relay Race

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Understand the combination of fractions as parts of a whole in a lively and collaborative setting.

- Description: Students will take part in a relay race, where each stage of the race signifies a fraction of the total distance. The aim is to complete the distance in fractional portions, with each student running a defined segment.

- Instructions:

• Split the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Outline a course in the school yard, dividing it into equal sections that represent fractions (e.g., 1/4 of the total distance).

• Each student runs their fraction of the distance, passing a baton to the next runner at the end of their segment.

• The race concludes once all group members cross the finish line.

• Discuss with the class how each part of the course symbolises a fraction and how all the fractions come together to create a whole.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

This stage aims to provide a moment for reflection and synthesis of what students have learned during practical activities. By discussing in groups, students can share various approaches and solutions, enriching everyone's understanding. This discussion also serves as a formative assessment, allowing the teacher to pinpoint and clarify any misconceptions or challenges that arose. Additionally, it reinforces how fraction concepts apply in real-life situations.

Group Discussion

After completing the activities, gather all students in a big circle for a group discussion. Start by recapping the activities, emphasizing the key learning insights from each task. Encourage each group to share their experiences and what they discovered, specifically how they applied fractions in practice and any challenges they faced. Adopt an encouraging tone to motivate everyone to contribute and share their thoughts.

Key Questions

1. How did working with fractions help resolve the challenges posed in the activity?

2. What difficulties did you face in representing fractions through geometric shapes?

3. How can you apply your knowledge of fractions in other everyday situations?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Conclusion serves to reinforce what we've learned today and reflect on the significance of fractions in real life. This moment allows students to assimilate theoretical knowledge with the practical activities they engaged in, strengthening their understanding and applicability of mathematical concepts. Furthermore, this review helps solidify their memory and comprehension of the content covered, prepping them for future uses of fractions.

Summary

To close off, let's recap what we've learned today about fractions in geometric shapes. Students divided shapes like pizzas and pieces of land into equal fractions, applying the theoretical concepts we discussed earlier. These hands-on activities helped us visualize and grasp how fractions operate in everyday life, like food-sharing or land planning.

Theory Connection

Today’s lesson linked theory with practice through fun and relatable activities. Fractions were explored visually, through the division of actual objects, and practically, by applying them in real-world scenarios such as space planning and object division.

Closing

Grasping fractions is crucial, as they are prevalent in our daily routines, such as cooking, sharing bills, or organising spaces. Being able to think in terms of fractions aids in problem-solving and sharpens mathematical reasoning. Therefore, the knowledge acquired today is directly relevant and beneficial in students’ everyday lives.