Fractions

Explore resources designed to improve fractions instruction in elementary and middle school.

Explore the subtopics below to learn more about the recommended practices:

To learn more about the research underlying these practices, view the IES Practice Guide, Developing Effective Fractions Instruction for Kindergarten Through 8th Grade.

  • Items 13 - 24 of 62

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Video

What Teachers Need to Know About Teaching Fractions

Fractions > Overview & Tools

Dr. Francis “Skip” Fennell describes the knowledge teachers need to teach fractions effectively, paying special attention to multiple strategies for representing problems involving fractions. He...

Resource Type

Expert Interview

2336 views
Video

The Importance of Fractions Instruction

Fractions > Overview & Tools

Dr. Siegler discusses why competence with fractions is critical for more advanced math and why U.S. students have difficulty grasping fractions. He also describes the developmental sequence that...

Resource Type

Expert Interview

2731 views
Document

Visual Diagram: Fractions Instruction

Fractions > Overview & Tools

This diagram serves as a visual overview of the recommended instructional practices for teaching fractions in elementary and middle school, along with information on the knowledge teachers need to...

Resource Type

Visual Diagram

3282 views
Video

Grade 5 Number Talk

Fractions > Fractions Operations > See How It Works

Follow a teacher’s lesson on adding and subtracting fractions using fraction equivalents and relationships. Children share their strategies for solving the problems described in Dumb Friends League...

Resource Type

School Example

1545 views
Video

Ways to Measure 1 1/2 Cups

Fractions > Fractions Operations > See How It Works

A fourth-grade teacher asks students to help solve his problem of measuring 1-1/2 cups without either a 1-cup or a 1/2-cup measuring cup, and instead with the use of many other size measuring cups....

Resource Type

School Example

1576 views
Video

Solving a Real-World Fraction Division Problem

Fractions > Fractions Operations > See How It Works

A fifth-grade teacher poses a fraction division problem and challenges students to find different approaches to a solution. One student uses a number line; others use build-up strategies. See their...

Resource Type

School Example

1864 views
Video

Multiply or Divide?

Fractions > Fractions Operations > See How It Works

This staff development session provides suggestions for helping students understand fraction multiplication and division concepts. Follow the full session through Focus on Fraction Operations and...

Resource Type

School Example

1634 views
Video

Fractions on a Number Line

Fractions > Fractions as Numbers > See How It Works

A fourth-grade teacher describes students’ challenges in moving from a part-whole interpretation of fractions to seeing them as numbers. Student pairs work on locating fractions and decimal and...

Resource Type

School Example

2263 views
Video

Understanding Ratios

Fractions > Ratio, Rate, Proportion > See How It Works

This development session for teachers and coaches demonstrates strategies for teaching ratio, rate, and proportion concepts. Follow the full session through the PowerPoint, Focus on Ratios, and the...

Resource Type

School Example

1349 views
Video

Multiple Interpretations of Fractions

Fractions > Fractions as Numbers > See How It Works

Professor Jonathan Brendefur describes how he helps teachers understand and teach different interpretations of fractions. He explains the importance of explicitly teaching about various...

Resource Type

School Example

1429 views
Video

Cross-Multiply? Not So Fast

Fractions > Ratio, Rate, Proportion > See How It Works

Eighth-grade co-teachers lead a class through activities involving ratios. Students use concrete materials, build-up strategies, and cross-multiplication to solve the real-world problems found in...

Resource Type

School Example

1813 views
Video

Making and Using Fraction Strips

Fractions > Fractions as Numbers > See How It Works

Watch how a third-grade teacher introduces unit fractions through a game that involves “covering up” a unit with fractional parts. Directions for two variations of the game are included in Fraction...

Resource Type

School Example

2271 views
  • Items 13 - 24 of 62