When Wylie says he doesn’t understand fractions, there are many possible ways to interpret his statement. Does he not understand the language of numerator and denomination, or is he having difficulty with number sequences, or recalling strategies for basic division? Through a metacognitive process, the teacher can identify and resolve problems early on. In a conversation with Wylie, he say that he can’t write the fraction that show have he divides his bag of 12 apples equally among his three friends. The teacher can ask him to use words to explain his thinking and to describe what he has done so far to understand it. This helps uncover misunderstanding and guide appropriate responses that include additional resources, peer support, or teacher intervention.