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This newsletter discusses two programs that Miss Riemer's third grade class will use to learn about rational numbers - the PHET Build a Fraction simulation and the Splash Math iPad app. The PHET simulation allows students to visually model fractions and mixed numbers using parts of a whole. Splash Math provides games for students to practice identifying, modeling, comparing, and working with fractions and decimals in engaging formats. Both programs allow students to connect pictorial and symbolic fraction representations to build understanding of rational number concepts.
This newsletter discusses two programs that Miss Riemer's third grade class will use to learn about rational numbers - the PHET Build a Fraction simulation and the Splash Math iPad app. The PHET simulation allows students to visually model fractions and mixed numbers using parts of a whole. Splash Math provides games for students to practice identifying, modeling, comparing, and working with fractions and decimals in engaging formats. Both programs allow students to connect pictorial and symbolic fraction representations to build understanding of rational number concepts.
This newsletter discusses two programs that Miss Riemer's third grade class will use to learn about rational numbers - the PHET Build a Fraction simulation and the Splash Math iPad app. The PHET simulation allows students to visually model fractions and mixed numbers using parts of a whole. Splash Math provides games for students to practice identifying, modeling, comparing, and working with fractions and decimals in engaging formats. Both programs allow students to connect pictorial and symbolic fraction representations to build understanding of rational number concepts.
Mathematics Newsletter Using iPad Apps and Web-Based Programs to Discover Rational Numbers
Why Use Technology In
Math Class?
Using technology such as iPad
apps and web-based programs allows students to practice their mathematical skills and develop their understanding of mathematical concepts in an engaging 21st Century format. Teacher’s Note Dear Parents, Why use Build a Fraction? As we begin our mathematics unit on rational numbers, I am excited to announce that our class will be using two new The PHET Build a Fraction technology programs! Technology is an integral part of everyday Simulation is an effective life, and so my goals for using these programs are to enhance teaching tool because it allows students’ learning and to develop their abilities to effectively use students to connect pictorial 21st Century technology tools. The first program we will be using is and symbolic representations a web-based simulation called “Build a Fraction” from the of fractions to develop their University of Colorado’s PHET Interactive Simulations project. The understanding of fractional second is an iPad app called Splash Math, which allows students to notation and part-whole practice working with fractions in a series of mini-games. These relationships. It accomplishes programs will provide our class with opportunities to practice this by linking numeric modeling, comparing, interpreting, and naming fractions. These representations of fractions with are foundational skills for building our class’ understanding of visual diagrams of parts and rational numbers, and these programs provide important and wholes. engaging opportunities for practice. I hope that you will also consider using these programs at home to further support your Why use Splash Math? child’s learning! The PHET Simulation can be accessed online, and Splash Math is available as an iPad app. Creating a connection Splash Math allows students to between learning at school and learning at home bolsters connect pictorial and symbolic students’ skills and understanding. I have included more detailed representations of fractions and information about each program in this newsletter. If you have any decimals. Students can also use further questions, please do not hesitate to email me! the app to model and compare - Miss Riemer, email: riemere@bc.edu fractions. Splash Math provides practice opportunities in engaging game-like formats that attract and sustain attention.
allows students to represent fractions and mixed numbers with visual models. Using the tabs across Once students have completed their model, they the top of the simulation, students can choose one of several tools to practice representing and can submit their response by clicking and naming fractions. dragging the model to the blue box next to the fraction it represents. The simulation will not The first two tabs, titled “Build a accept an incorrect model; therefore, students Fraction” and “Mixed Fractions,” lead students to a series of must persist and use problem-solving skills to leveled problems which require identify and correct their errors. When the them to build visual students have modeled all three fractions representations of fractions. The correctly, the simulation will allow them to simulation presents three progress to the next level. fractions along the right side of the screen, as seen on the right: The “Fraction Lab” tab along the top of the simulation allows students to create and model their own fractions. Students can divide wholes In the middle of screen, the simulation presents a into units using the green arrows, then click and rectangle or circle which represent the rational whole. The whole can be divided into parts using drag copies of colored parts onto their models. a green arrow button, as pictured below: Students can also build multiple models to compare quantities.
Students can practice dividing the whole into the
From a pedagogical perspective, modeling appropriate number of parts based on the fractions with the PHET Simulation is beneficial denominator of the fraction. They can then click and drag colored parts to represent the quantity because it allows students to create pictorial of parts that is indicated by the numerator. This representations of fractions, explore part-whole reinforces the concept that the numerator relationships, compare fractional quantities, and represents multiple copies of the unit fraction, as develop an understanding of fractions as multiple determined by the denominator. For example: copies of a given unit fraction.
Miss Riemer’s Third Grade Class 2
Miss Riemer’s Third Grade Class September 2018
Splash Math
Splash Math is an i-Pad app
that allows students in grades K-5 to practice and model mathematical skills and concepts. It is also available online at www.splashmath.com.
For the purposes of our unit, we will focus on the
Fractions games in the Third Grade section of Splash Math. Level 4: Equivalent Fractions without Models presents students with symbolic representations of fractions and asks them to identify equivalent fractions. This allows students to practice working with fractions as only symbolic representations, thereby challenging students to understand fractions using more advanced representations.
Level 5: Compare Fractions with the Same
Denominators presents students with two visual models of fractions with the same denominator The Fractions section allows students to practice and asks them to choose the relational symbol (<, working with fractions on six different levels: =, or >) that accurately describes the relationship Level 1: Identify Fractions presents students with a between the two fractions. pictorial representation of a fraction and asks Level 6: Compare Fractions with the Same them to identify the correct fraction, in fractional Numerators presents children with two pictorial notation, that represents the model. This level is representations of fractions with the same beneficial because connects pictorial and numerator and asks them to choose the relational symbolic representations of fractions. symbol (<, =, or >) that correctly describes the Level 2: Model Fractions presents students with a relationship between the two fractions. symbolic representation of a fraction and asks the From a pedagogical perspective, K-5 Splash Math to model that fraction using a pictorial is a beneficial app because it links pictorial and representation. In addition to connecting pictorial symbolic representations of fractions and uses and symbolic representations, this level builds visual models to demonstrate the relationship children’s understanding of fractional notation as between fractions. The app does not provide an expression of multiple copies of a unit fraction. explanations for incorrect answers or allow Level 3: Equivalent Fractions Using Models asks students opportunities to try the problem again, children to identify the number of copies of a unit so we will take time in class to discuss Splash Math fraction that will create an equivalent fraction. The problems that were particularly challenging or set-up of this level, as pictured below, allows that require further explanation. However, Splash children to use pictorial representations of Math’s engaging visuals and game-like design will fractions to determine equivalent quantities. ensure that your child will not only practice working with fractions but have fun, too!