Fractions (Part II)

AUTHORS

Carlos Pereira dos Santos | cmfsantos@fc.ul.pt | University of Lisbon

Ricardo Cunha Teixeira | ricardo.ec.teixeira@uac.pt |NICA-UAc & FCT-UAc

SUMMARY

The topic of non-negative rational numbers is probably the most delicate subject when it comes to teaching elementary mathematics in the 1st and 2nd cycles of primary education. Because they have multiple applications, contexts and meanings, fractions require highly specialized and careful teaching. It is necessary to carefully promote the construction of mental models appropriate to the concept of fraction, to phase and order the conceptual nodes over the years and to balance the abstract/concrete nature of the examples and activities. Much has been tested, theorized and written about this topic. This work consists of an extensive summary on the teaching of fractions, documented in specialized literature and illustrated through concrete examples taken from textbooks. Singapore Math, one of the most highly rated teaching methods in the world.

KEYWORDS

Non-negative rational numbers, fractions, mixed numerals, equivalent fractions, decimals, proportions, ratios, Singapore Math

RELEVANT DATES

Published: 2017/12/31