Teaching Fractions for Third Grade with a Twist
by: Sara Mays

When you say mathematics, we often call it as math. Many people believe that it has no plural form so it cannot be written as maths. In American English, they recognize the word “math” only but in UK English, “maths” is accepted. It’s also the same with “Physics” and “Economics”.

When you search for example for 3rd grade math, but you enter 3rd grade maths, you will still find information about math but not that as accurate as what you are expecting to see. People tend to be careless sometimes in typing keywords when searching on the internet. There also instances that they miss to put punctuation marks. Sometimes because of eagerness to search for information, it results to wrong input of keywords.

When a child reaches the second grade level your child starts to learn about fractions. Third grade math usually covers more on review on fractions. But it is also the best time to improve his abilities by recalling and eventually applying more complicated concepts. After a quick refresher course you can lead him to a more advanced study of fractions. As a parent or teacher, you can create ways on how to demonstrate and explain to your kids to improve his math curriculum area.

Review

You can start by reviewing him the lessons that he has learned last year by simply drawing a circle and divide into four equal parts. You can ask them what that part is if you shade 1, 2, or 3 parts of circle. This enables him to refresh his minds and can easily cope with the future concepts that he may be facing.

Fractions with Crackers

This kind of game is unique since it involves the cooperation of food. This is done by having each kid with a graham cracker. Let them divide the crackers into four equal parts. Give them each a plastic knife only to let them spread the crackers. Ask them to cut again each cracker into halves to make it eighths. Place different spread outs for them and let them choose three of it. Have them coat three pieces of graham crackers with the same spread each. Then show them how to write fraction of numbers. For example, five pieces of graham crackers coated with chocolate spread makes 5/8.

Fraction with Colored Candies

Kids love candies so why don’t incorporate them with fractions? Try to give them candies with different colors. Call out a color and ask some of them what part of that candies are that color. After that, check their candies if they answered correctly.

Technique in Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Teach them how to add and subtract fractions with the same denominator by sharing to them a technique in doing this. In addition and subtraction of fractions, they should add and subtract the numerators and remain the denominators as is. For example: 2/3+ 3= 3/3 or 1. You provide illustrations on the board if necessary.
 
Allow Them to Play

It is important also that you let them practice their new skills by letting them have fun. Group games can help in making them more comfortable in learning. They could also develop their abilities if they interact with each other. You could also assign fractions in their home works to let them practice what they have learned from school. It is vital in math that you have constant practice but having fun while learning could help also.

About The Author

Sara Mays is an math enthusiast who love teaching kids math by making it more effective with games. By using games she is able to break through and help those kids that are struggling. She takes pride in creating opportunities teaching kids.

Do you want to learn how to teach your child more effectively by using overlooked learning skills. Visit my website at http://www.KidsLoveMath.com for helpful tips to make math easy, exciting and fun!

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