Why do two fractions smaller than 1 multiply to give you
a number smaller than not only 1, but of one or both of the fractions itself?" Wrap it up with a look to the future: "How do you think we will multiply mixed numbers? Improper fractions?" "How will we divide fractions?" If we cut 3/4 in half, each piece is equal to three 1/8s. Created by Millie Rosen Concepts covered:
1.Utility: emphasizing the usefulness of this math concept to everyone's life.
2.Self-efficacy: students will expand their sense of compentency about math if they discover the rule themselves.
3.Extrinsic motivation: students will not get to bake until they have showed competency through the assessment.
4.Vygotsky's sociocultural perspective: students gain interpersonal skills through interaction with peers as they discover the rule about multiplying fractions.
5.Working memory: “workbench” on which students will hold their new knowledge about fractions until they can apply it through practice.
6.Long-term memory: “toolbox” of more permanent knowledge. Understanding of multiplication of fractions will move here after enough practice.
7.Domain-specific knowledge: multiplying fractions is useful in math class.
8.General knowledge: multiplying fractions is also useful in math-related situations both in and out of school.
9.Chunking: students will understand the process through dividing it up into meaningful bits—first multiply the numerators, then multiply the denominators, and lastly simplify the fraction.
10.T in TARGET: the task here is to find the rule for multiplying fractions by working with manipulatives and numbers on paper.
11.A in TARGET: the students choose how they are going to go about solving the problem, instead of just listening to me explain the rule.
12.R in TARGET: if they fully comprehend the rule and show it on the test, they get a break from class to make cookies.
13.G in TARGET: students will be allowed to work in groups during the Exploration activity.
14.E in TARGET: students will be evaluated on their new ability.
15.T in TARGET: this activity should only take one or two class periods, depending on the students’ level (which is why I have not included specific time slots). The reward activity is optional and will take another class period.
16.Zone of proximal development: “not too far behind them nor too far ahead”—challenge students but provide enough guidance with the concept to keep them from giving up or getting lost. In this case, students will have free room to explore the concept, but I am there to help them tie it all together at the end.
17.Hands-on learning (Piaget): students can choose among manipulatives to explore the topic in Exploration activity, and will also get to bake.
18.Adapting knowledge to content: students will think of ways to use fraction multiplication in real life, as well as practice in the baking activity.
19.Visuospatial sketchpad: students will have to use this to imagine what it looks like to take one quarter of one half, or whatever the fraction is.
20.Defining goals using IDEAL: students will attempt to determine the rule for multiplying fractions.