Lesson Plan | Active Methodology | Fractions: Addition and Subtraction

Premises: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class duration, prior student study both with the Book and the beginning of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be carried out during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a large part of the available time.

Objective

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

This section of the lesson plan is crucial in setting clear learning goals that will steer class activities and discussions. By distinctly defining the objectives, learners will understand what is expected of them and how to leverage their prior knowledge to deepen their grasp of mathematical concepts related to the addition and subtraction of fractions. This promotes consolidation of learning and enhances retention of the content.

Objective Utama:

1. Enable learners to solve and create problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions using proper fraction notation.

2. Encourage the application of theoretical knowledge gained at home to tackle practical and real-world situations in the classroom.

Objective Tambahan:

1. Foster communication and teamwork among learners during collaborative problem-solving activities.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction phase engages learners with the content they've explored at home, presenting problem scenarios that encourage critical thinking and the practical application of addition and subtraction of fractions. By contextualizing fractions in real life, learners can appreciate the relevance and applicability of what they’ve learned, making the learning experience more meaningful and encouraging.

Problem-Based Situation

1. Imagine you’re cutting a cake into equal slices for yourself and two mates. If each of you starts off with 1/3 of the cake, but one friend wants a bigger slice, how could you fairly divide the leftover cake using fractions?

2. Consider a situation where you have two recipes and need to mix 1/4 cup of sugar from one and 1/3 cup of sugar from the other. How do you combine these two fractions to figure out how much sugar you’ll need in the final recipe?

Contextualization

Fractions pop up in many daily scenarios, like cooking recipes, percentages, and even when splitting objects or tasks. For instance, if a group of friends wins 3/5 of a birthday cake and each wants to take home an equal share, knowing how to evenly divide the cake is crucial to avoid arguments! Moreover, understanding fractions plays a significant role in more complex fields such as engineering, medicine, and economics.

Development

Duration: (70 - 75 minutes)

The development stage is geared toward helping learners apply their prior knowledge of addition and subtraction of fractions in a practical and engaging manner. By collaborating in groups, they reinforce individual learning and grow their collaboration and communication skills. The planned activities are contextual, dynamic, and enjoyable, ensuring that learners stay motivated and engaged throughout.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 - Fraction Fiesta

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply knowledge of addition and subtraction of fractions in solving practical, everyday problems such as party planning.

- Description: Learners will form groups of up to 5 and be tasked with organising a party, calculating the needed ingredients to make a cake. Each group will receive a recipe with fractional ingredient measures to adapt according to dietary restrictions and guest numbers.

- Instructions:

• Break down the original recipe according to the number of guests and modify it to accommodate restrictions (e.g., gluten-free).

• Calculate the correct amount of ingredients, such as 1/2 cup of flour, for a specific number of guests.

• Present a chart with the revised recipe reflecting the fractions used.

Activity 2 - The Fraction Treasure

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Enhance teamwork and mathematical reasoning skills through engaging activities around adding and subtracting fractions.

- Description: In this fun activity, learners will work in groups of up to 5, taking on the role of pirates who need to divide a newly discovered treasure. The treasure comprises jewels and coins, each representing a fraction of the total. Groups will use their maths skills to fairly divide the treasure among themselves, considering fractions of different values.

- Instructions:

• Split the treasure (symbolised by cards with fractions) evenly among group members.

• Tackle extra challenges posed by the teacher, involving addition and subtraction of fractions to claim portions of the hidden treasure.

• Create a treasure map that visually shows how the fractions were divided among the group members.

Activity 3 - City Builders

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Implement the concept of fractions in practice, enhancing math skills and spatial reasoning within a collaborative construction activity.

- Description: Learners will form groups of up to 5 and take charge of planning and constructing a mini-city on a blueprint, using blocks representing different fractions of land. They'll need to calculate and adjust the fractions to ensure that each part of the city, including parks, schools, and houses, occupies its designated share of the land.

- Instructions:

• Utilise blocks that represent fractions of land to build the mini-city on a blueprint.

• Calculate and modify the fractions to ensure each section of the city fits within the correct land proportions.

• Present the final project, clarifying the fractions used and how calculations were made.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The aim of this stage is to reinforce the learning acquired through the practical activities, enabling learners to articulate and reflect on the concepts of addition and subtraction of fractions. The group discussion solidifies understanding, allowing learners to witness various approaches and solutions. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for the teacher to assess progress and pinpoint areas needing further support.

Group Discussion

At the end of the activities, gather everyone for a group conversation. Start by briefly highlighting the importance of sharing what they’ve learned and the challenges faced. Encourage each group to present a summary of their activity, explaining how they applied the addition and subtraction concepts, along with the strategies used to solve problems. This is a great opportunity to emphasize collaboration and critical thinking.

Key Questions

1. What were the main challenges you encountered while working with fractions?

2. How did you decide the fairest way to divide the cake, treasure, or land?

3. Were there instances where you had to tweak the fractions initially planned? How did you tackle that?

Conclusion

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The conclusion is vital in reinforcing and solidifying the day’s learning. By summarising, the teacher aids students in organising their thoughts and solidifying key concepts. Discussing the connection between theory and practice enables students to see the practical usefulness of their learning, boosting engagement and perceived relevance of the material. This final stage also serves as an assessment of the class's overall understanding and clarifying any remaining questions.

Summary

In the conclusion, recap the key points discussed regarding addition and subtraction of fractions, such as finding a common denominator and techniques for performing operations with fractions. Remind them of practical activities conducted—like dividing ingredients for recipes and sharing a treasure—emphasising the methods used and solutions found.

Theory Connection

Review how today's lesson linked theory studied at home with practice in class, highlighting how the problem scenarios allowed learners to apply mathematical ideas in fun and real-life contexts, reinforcing the learning experience.

Closing

Finally, underscore the relevance of studying fractions in everyday life, showing how this knowledge applies across various situations—from throwing a party to tackling more complex mathematical challenges in fields such as science and engineering.