Counters and fractions

Counters and fractions

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources

Practical Task

  1. Use counters to show each of the following fractions.
  2. Show your teacher how you worked out your answer.
  3. Write your answer in the space provided.

a)

\(1 \over 4\) of 16 is 

__________

 

d)

\(4 \over 5\) of 15 is 

__________

b)

\(1 \over 3\) of 24 is 

__________

 

e)

\(3 \over 4\) of 20 is 

__________

c)

\(2 \over 10\) of 20 is 

__________

 

f)

\(3 \over 5\) of 20 is 

__________
Task administration: 
This task is completed with pencil and paper only.
 
Equipment:  25 counters or buttons per student.
  • This task is designed to be carried out with a small group of students.
  • The emphasis in this task is on the students using the counters to show how they would work out their answers rather than using a calculation method.
  • If students are struggling with parts c) to f), prompt them to find 1/10 , 1/5 or 1/4 of the total first.
Levels:
3, 4
Curriculum info: 
Maths, Number and Algebra, Number Strategies
Keywords: 
fractions, fractions as operators, sets
Description of task: 
In this practical task students use counters to show fractions of whole numbers.
Curriculum Links: 
 
This resource can help to identify students' ability to apply simple multiplicative strategies to find fractions of sets, shapes, and quantities.
Learning Progression Frameworks
This resource can provide evidence of learning associated with
Multiplicative thinking, sets 4-5
Multiplicative thinking, sets 6-7
within the Mathematics Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Read more about the Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Answers/responses: 
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)		 4
8
4
12
15
12

For a similar item using money refer to Money fractions.