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Primary education

DS year 5 hates fractions I think because he doesnt quite understand how to do them, is there a site to help him?

11 replies

hulahoopsilove · 07/12/2014 10:01

that's it - is there a website that I can show him that makes it fun etc... he's 9 year 5

OP posts:
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bodiddly · 07/12/2014 10:14

I'm watching this with interest as my ds is the same. He doesn't fully grasp the concept. He can do more complicated work with them as he learns the rules but when he has to stop and think to work something out he is stumped.

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TheBogQueen · 07/12/2014 10:21

Have you tried doing it with Lego bricks?

You can also buy fractions cubes which might help get the concept over.
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B000296LSO/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1417947665&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX200_QL40&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

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NoLongerJustAShopGirl · 07/12/2014 10:29

We "did" fractions to death with 24 smarties ... So much more fun when "you can eat 3/12 or 1/6 - which would you choose" etc....

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Athrawes · 07/12/2014 10:29

Do you get them? Not being rude, but fractions are a really hard concept - that a fraction is an action not an item. Try the bbc bitesize site.

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peanutcookie · 07/12/2014 10:32

Khan academy on YouTube is fabulous! I had completely forgotten how to do fractions myself and they explain things v simply with lots of examples. Just search khan academy multiplying fractions(or whatever you are looking for)

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Seryph · 07/12/2014 13:32

Pizza, oranges, sliced up apple, lego and smarties are all great ways of working through fractions. Do it together and make it fun!

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hellsbells99 · 07/12/2014 13:35

I taught my DCs using pizza and cake.
I taught algebra using apples and bananas!

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LemonySnug · 07/12/2014 14:03

BBC bitesize

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Ferguson · 07/12/2014 17:30

As a primary TA this was my standard Numeracy advice, though it was intended for younger children. It may reinforce the basics, and the two web sites at the end are very useful:

?QUOTE:

Practical things are best for grasping number concepts - bricks, Lego, beads, counters, money, shapes, weights, measuring, cooking.

Do adding, taking away, multiplication (repeated addition), division (sharing), using REAL OBJECTS as just 'numbers' can be too abstract for some children.

Number Bonds of Ten forms the basis of much maths, so try to learn them. Using Lego or something similar, use a LOT of bricks (of just TWO colours, if you have enough) lay them out so the pattern can be seen of one colour INCREASING while the other colour DECREASES. Lay them down, or build up like steps.

So:

ten of one colour none of other
nine of one colour one of other
eight of one colour two of other
seven of one colour three of other

etc,

then of course, the sides are equal at 5 and 5; after which the colours 'swap over' as to increasing/decreasing.

To learn TABLES, do them in groups that have a relationship, thus:

x2, x4, x8

x3, x6, x12

5 and 10 are easy

7 and 9 are rather harder.

Starting with TWO times TABLE, I always say: "Imagine the class is lining up in pairs; each child will have a partner, if there is an EVEN number in the class. If one child is left without a partner, then the number is ODD, because an odd one is left out."

Use Lego bricks again, lay them out in a column of 2 wide to learn 2x table. Go half way down the column, and move half the bricks up, so that now the column is 4 bricks wide. That gives the start of 4x table.

Then do similar things with 3x and 6x.

With 5x, try and count in 'fives', and notice the relationship with 'ten' - they will alternate, ending in 5 then 10.

It is important to try and UNDERSTAND the relationships between numbers, and not just learn them 'by rote'.


An inexpensive solar powered calculator (no battery to run out!) can help learn tables by 'repeated addition'. So: enter 2+2 and press = to give 4. KEEP PRESSING = and it should add on 2 each time, giving 2 times table.

There are good web sites, which can be fun to use :

//www.ictgames.com/

//www.resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/index.html

UNQUOTE

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taeglas · 08/12/2014 00:24

Use cuisenaire rods. Interactive resource available here
nrich.maths.org/4348

Maths is fun
www.mathsisfun.com/fractions-menu.html

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TagineKaput · 08/12/2014 07:12

Squeebles fractions app is good.

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