Did you know that being able to share things out equally is fundamental to learning about Fractions and Multiplication?

During play for the first two weeks of Term 2, teachers provided play opportunities to explore fractional concepts. At the playdough table, Jonathan started the game "Tacos". The muffin paper (imagined taco), prompted lots of conversation about halves. The children agreed that the halves had to be equal and that meant the same size when they folded the muffin cups/taco. The sides had to meet exactly. The game lasted for quite a while and many children came to take part. They practised their counting along the way. Teachers asked questions like: How many children are here? How many tacos each? Will that be equal?

 

Baskets of objects and containers with 2, 3, or 4 divisions inspired a shop run by Zoey, Olive, Ting Ting, and Isobel. Teachers saw the opportunity to extend children's knowledge of numbers and record children's findings. 

The dolls had a happy time at the playdough table as the children naturally practiced sharing out playdough food equally.

For the following four weeks, teachers will draw children out for small group maths sessions where they will develop their understanding of fractional concepts in collaborative inquiry. They will solve open-ended problems that have come from authentic contexts like the "taco" game and relevant literature that the children enjoy. We will keep you posted with some great picture books that develop fractional understanding.