MTS Math 12.3 Fractional Insets

Shu-Chen Yen's On-Line Montessori Albums

MATH DEVELOPMENT ALBUM

12.3 FRACTIONAL INSETS

MATERIALS:

Metal insets; circle, square, and triangle, divided into various fractional parts and inset into metal frames. A shallow wooden tray on which to place the insets. Cards on which are printed the fractional symbols for the parts of the insets.

PRESENTATION-

1. Invite a child who has worked with the fractional skittles to do the exercise.

2. Begin with the circle insets, since the base of the skittle is a circle.

3. Have on a tray the whole circle, the circles divided into halves, thirds, and fourths.

4. Carry the tray of circles onto the rug and place it at the top.

5. Take out the whole circle and place it on the rug.

6. Take out the two halves and place them on the rug. The child should know the names of the fractional parts; no three period lesson is necessary.

7. Pick them up in the air and show them the shapes.

8. Name them and put them back.

9. Take them out from the inset and place them above.

10. Name them.

11. Say, 'Would the whole fit here?" and then place it on halves inset. Try to fit half on whole inset.

12. After a few experiments the child can put the fraction on the inset.

13. Replace the materials.

CONTROL OF ERRORS:

The frame in which the fractional insets are kept.

AIMS:

Same as those listed for the fractional skittles.

POINTS OF INTEREST:

Feeling the insets. Feeling the whole circle. Feeling the halves. Feeling the thirds. Feeling the fourths. Placing the insets together.

AGE:

5 to 7 years.