Fractions & Graphs
I used the Ohio Treasure Chest to find an information resource for grade 6 math. I was drawn to the eighth objective under Numbers, Number Sense and Operation: “Represent multiplication and division situations involving fractions and decimals with models and visual representations; e.g., show with pattern blocks what it means to take 2 2/3 ÷ 1/6.” I love fractions. There was one link – http://www.visualfractions.com/.
While it does not have the most stunning layout, it is not cluttered and it is easy to read. The first thing I read was Fractions are best understood when seen in bright red. This sums up the need and purpose for the website. Underneath is a graphic: a pie graph representing the fraction 2/3. The categories are all visible on the lefthand side of the webpage. It’s divided really well, starting with basics (”Identifying Fractions”) and continuing through their addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It also provides a section each for comparing and renaming fractions. All of these pages provide the user an ability to submit fractions to any of the aforementioned actions, either with line segments or circles. The idea, of course, is that it is all visual.
The user actually gets to use the webpage to understand the material. It is the user who enters the numbers associated with each line or circle. The website has capabilities to explain the material (it has an Investigate category which explains fractions as a classroom lesson would) and it also has a report feature which can be printed with a students name and turned in with the score of correct answers after working through some problems. The organization of each page is very intuitive with clear labels.
As the website is copyrighted 2008, I’d say that it is current. The information on fractions is accurate based on my use of the website. And as the concept of fractions is pretty concrete, I’d say it’s in no danger of losing its credibility. Overall, I’m really quite thrilled with Visual Fractions. It’s a great resource and it’s fun to boot.
In search of an learning activity using the internet, I found a Create a Graph application from the National Center for Educational Statistics. It’s a site clearly marked for kids with nice colorful graphics and an intuitive layout. Right on the main page, the user chooses the type of graph he or she wishes to create. It also offers a tutorial and examples. After choosing a graph, the website guides the user step-by-step to the final product: design, data, labels, preview, print/save. Compared to Visual Fractions, this site is probably more kid-friendly; an 11-year-old could definitely get a hold on this activity without much trouble, whereas Visual Fractions might be more overwelming, based on the layout of the pages alone. The graphing tutorial is also finely made. This site is a great guide to creating fractions. I think it’d be great to use before having the students create graphs from scratch because of the visual handiness of this application.
