Ways to help your child learn outside of school!
- Use everyday objects to allow your child to explore the concept of fractions. For example, use measuring cups so students see how many times you have to refill a 1 ⁄4 cup to equal a 1 ⁄2 cup or how many 1 ⁄3’s are in two cups. Have students describe two fractions that are equal using a measuring cup (filling a 1 ⁄4 measuring cup twice is the same as filling one 1 ⁄2 measuring cup).
- Have your child write or describe fractions in different ways. For example, what are some different ways to make 3 ⁄4? Answers could include 1 ⁄4+1 ⁄4+1 ⁄4 or 3x1 ⁄4
- Ask your child create and describe equal fractions. For example, have students take a sheet of paper, fold the paper in half, and then unfold and shade 1 ⁄2. Then have students take the same sheet of paper and fold the paper in a half again. Unfold the paper and have students discuss the number of parts that are now shaded. Encourage your child to talk about ways to show that 1 ⁄2 =2 ⁄4. (Students may continue this process creating other equal fractions.)
- Encourage your child to stick with it whenever a problem seems difficult. This will help your child see that everyone can learn math. 5. Praise your child when he or she makes an effort and share in the excitement when he or she solves a problem or understands something for the first time.