4MA5

LO4

Fractions with Pattern Blocks

Formative Assessment:

Do you know what fractions are?

Can you tell me the name of some pattern blocks?

Instructional Strategies or Activities:

1. Distribute to each small group a tub of pattern blocks. Ask students to select one color block and find other smaller, identical blocks to cover the larger one. For example: two red trapezoids will cover one yellow hexagon. Ask students to discuss how the red block is part of the larger yellow one.

2. Continue this exploration by trying to find all the different relationships of one or more identical blocks to any larger block. Each block is presented by a letter that corresponds to its color. For example: r = red, bl = blue, y = yellow, g = green, b = brown, p = purple. Demonstrate how to use chart paper to record these relationships as fractions and also to illustrate them.

3. Ask students to justify and explain their drawings and fraction sentences.

4. Students will design a quilt piece using pattern blocks on a black construction mat that measure 31/2 x 5 inches. They should first use red, brown, purple, and yellow blocks. A second quilt piece should be made using blue, green, purple, and yellow blocks. Direct the sudents to determine the total value of the quilt piece by finding the sum of the parts.

5. Invite them to use colored paper pieces to make a copy of the quilt pieces designed with the blocks. Collect the quilt pieces and make them into a large wall mural.

6. As a class, compare the different sums and patterns. (It works well to have a group of four students plan and create four quilt pieces that are the same and put them together to form a larger quilt piece.)

Summative Assessment:

1. Ask the students how they knew what fraction name to give to a pattern block as they were covering a larger block with smaller ones?

2. Have the students design another fraction piece that could be added to the pattern block set. Ask, “ why did you choose that one?”