Red Light! Green Light!

Making Math Fun
I would have never thought to teach fractions through the use of a playground game. This week in math class yet again I was astonished at learning just how fun math can be. To start the day of our class went back to our childhood and played the favourite children’s game, Red Light, Green Light. While we were all laughing and having a good time I was unable to see the connection to fractions until it was simply explained by Patricia. Fractions can be used as a way to describe a distance or far you have gone.  An example of this in the game was 7/16. This fraction symbolizes that the person is a little bit less than half of the way there. The language that one uses also will help students understand how much the fractions symbolizes. Using soft language such as, a little bit or almost all of it, can help students identify how big or small a fraction. Below is a picture of the game that we played in class and the distance that each student got to.

This quick example showed me the importance of two key concepts when teaching math. The first concept is the use of games to help students become engaged can increase their learning. The use of game was able to keep me interested in the subject and therefore made it easier for me to learn about fractions. The second concept was using language that students are able to understand. Using soft language will help the students better understand the concepts it makes it easier for them to complete the tasks.

Common Denominators in Division!

A second activity that we did in class this past week was dividing fractions. As a student in mathematics I was always taught that common denominators are only used for addition or subtraction. My mind was blown when I was told that common denominators can be used in division as well. This method even seemed easier to me and I was better able to understand the concept. Using common denominators could create a three tiered fraction if the top number was a fraction but the bottom tier of the fraction would be 1. We were also taught in class that anything over one is just the anything therefore taking away the three tiered fraction. Common denominators can allow the student to divide the fractions easier and not be worried the flip and multiply method. The following image is an example of how using common denominators to divide is possible.

This week in math class was outstanding! I was able to learn concepts that I can implement to keep my students engaged in the lesson. I was also able to better understand how to divide fractions and that the use of common denominators is helpful when doing so. Math class so far has been an outstanding experience as I am being taught math in way that I could have never imagined.