Teacher’s Guide to

FRACTIONS AND DECIMALS SERIES TEACHER’S GUIDE

Written by

ROBERT SHARP

Visit our website for downloadable worksheets: www.mathparkvideos.org

© 2010 Lucky Cat Productions All rights reserved.

What is Math Park: The Fractions and Decimals Series?

• It is a series of eight 15-minute math video programs.

• It is co-produced and written by a small group of elementary math teachers and instructional coaches.

• It is aimed at grades 2-4.

• It is based on national math learning standards.

• It provides an introduction to fractions for grade 2.

• The latter programs are intended for grade 3-4 students.

• It uses comedy, music and animation to keep students interested in the math being taught.

• It makes good use of the video medium to make number sense concepts clear.

• It provides continuous review while the curriculum evolves throughout the programs.

• It meets the needs of English learners in that it encourages math talk.

• It’s HIGHLY INTERACTIVE! There are numerous “pause points” within each program which prompt classroom discussions. If you are watching on broadcast TV, we naturally pause in real time to allow students to answer questions posed. It is strongly suggested that students have paper and pencil or small white marker boards ready to participate in this learning event.

So, get that remote and pause button ready and watch your students get excited about number sense! Enjoy your field trip to MATH PARK.

Don’t forget to visit our website. There are downloadable masters for math games and activities related to MATH PARK.

www.mathparkvideos.org

Table of Contents

Show # Title Grades Page 301 Fractions: Parts of a Whole 2-3 1 302 Identifying and Comparing Fractions 2-4 2 303 Comparing and Ordering Fractions 3-5 4 304 Fractions of a Set 2-4 6 305 Equivalent Fractions 3-5 7 306 Adding and Subtracting Fractions 3-5 8 307 Introducing Decimals: Tenths 3-5 9 308 More Decimal Fun: Tenths and Hundredths 3-5 10

MATH PARK

Show # 301 “Fractions: Parts of a Whole” (Grades 2-3) Instructional Goals:

• Giving conceptual meaning to the terms fraction and equal parts.

• Learning the terms, spellings and pronunciation for fractional parts, such as whole, half/halves, thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths, etc.

Program Segments: The Denominator and the Birthday Cake The Denominator, a super hero, assists a lady who is unsure of how to cut a birthday cake into the correct fractional parts. Pause Points:

• If the woman, her husband and five other people are going to eat birthday cake, how many pieces should the cake be cut? (7 pieces)

• The Denominator actually cuts the cake into 8 pieces. How do you think he

could have easily made that mistake? (It’s easier to cut a round cake into equal pieces.)

Ranger Rith, Kiffen and the Banana Kiffen mistakenly thinks that if a banana is cut into two pieces, each piece is a half. Ranger Rith explains that they need to be equal pieces. Pause Point:

• When Kiffen cuts the banana into two pieces, are both pieces halves? Why or why not?

Equal Parts Pause the video after the announcer asks questions for classroom discussion. Ranger Rith in the Math Park Helicopter Ranger Rith flies over fields that are divided into equal fractional parts. Pause the video when Ranger Rith asks questions and discuss. The Fraction Match Game The purpose of the game is to match the visual representation of fractions with the word form. Pause the video when the game show announcer asks questions. Karate Fractions The Karate Guy breaks a board into five equal pieces. Pause the video and ask students to name the fractional parts.

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MATH PARK

Show # 302 “Identifying and Comparing Fractions” (Grades 2-4)

Instructional Goals:

• Learning the meaning and relationship of the numerator and denominator in fractions

• Identifying fractions after viewing different visual representations, such as bars, squares, rectangles, and circles

• Comparing fractions when the numerators are the same but the denominators are

different, such as one-third is larger than one-fourth Program Segments: Baking the Rainbow Cake A comical chef has to bake a rainbow cake. The Denominator, a super hero, helps the chef cut the cake into fractional parts. Later, The Numerator, who is The Denominator’s brother, drops by. The Numerator helps the chef in frosting the cake using the fractions from the recipe. When the chef first reveals the recipe, pause the video and ask the students to discuss with their neighbors what they think the fractions in the recipe mean. After a few minutes, select a few students to share out with the whole class. The Shaded Fraction Bar When the announcer asks what fraction of the bar is shaded red, pause the video and have the students discuss and share their answers with the entire class. The Fraction Painter Ranger Rith meets an artist who is painting different visual representations of the fraction, one-eighth. At the end of the segment, pause the video and ask students if they remember the different ways they saw the artist painting one-eighth. (Bar model, rectangular model, circle model) Fractions in the Park Various cast members ask students questions about the visual representations of fractions. Pause the video and for class discussions. The Fraction Match Game In this parody of TV game shows, Roberto and Katharine see if their randomly chosen visual representations of a fraction matches the standard representation. Pause the video for classroom discussions when the announcer asks the students questions.

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One-Fourth or One-Eighth Ranger Rith poses the question, “Suppose you really like candy bars and you have the choice of one-fourth of a candy bar or one-eighth of a candy bar. Which one would you choose?.” Be sure to pause the video here for a classroom discussion. Martians Love Chocolate! The Numerator and The Denominator have to share their candy bar with two Martians and later, eight Martians. This segment teaches students that each time the candy bar is cut into more equal pieces, the pieces get smaller. When The Numerator and The Denominator decide to share the candy bar, pause the video and ask the students how many pieces would the candy bar have to be cut? (Two / halves) What about when the two Martians joined them? (Fourths) What about when four more Martians joined them? (Eighths) Ranger Rith Follow-up on Fractions Ranger Rith refers back to the previous segment with questions. Pause the video after each question for classroom discussions. Karate Fractions The Karate Guy breaks a board into two equal pieces. Pause the video and ask the students what fraction parts he broke the board into. (Halves)

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MATH PARK

Show # 303 “Comparing and Ordering Fractions” (Grades 3-4) Instructional Goals:

• Comparing fractions with the same numerator and different denominators

• Using fraction bar models makes it easier to compare fractions

• Using fraction bar models for putting fractions in order from least to greatest

• When the numerator and denominator are the same, the fraction is actually one whole.

Program Segments: Honest Stan, Your Pie Man A pie salesman thinks that one-eighth is bigger than one-fourth. Ranger Rith sets him straight. When Ranger Rith asks students if they think Honest Stan’s Special sales pitch is a good one, pause the video for classroom discussion. Math Park Salsa Dancers The dancers compare one-fourth and one-third. Pause the video for classroom discussion when the announcer asks if greater than or less than should go between them. Homework Harry, Part 1 Kat is having a hard time comparing fractions. She gets a talking doll named Homework Harry to help her by drawing visual representations of the fractions to be compared. When Homework Harry makes the fraction bar models appear and asks which bar model is bigger, make sure that you pause the video. Explain to the students that we are comparing which bar has more area covered in red. Sometimes students get confused and think that we are looking for which bar has more fractional parts, rather than which bar has more area shaded, Janet Compares Four-Sixths and Three-Eighths Be sure to pause the video for discussion when Janet asks which is larger, four-sixths or three-eighths. Who’s Got the Bigger Fraction Game In this parody of game shows, Kat and Scott randomly choose fractions for comparing. Pause and discuss when the announcer asks questions.

Homework Harry, Part 2 Harry helps Kat understand how to place fractions in order from least to greatest. Using bar models are once again incorporated to make the concept easier to understand. When Kat and Harry ask students questions about putting the fractions in order, pause the video for discussion.

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Hole and Whole The meanings of both words is discussed. The Numerator and Denominator Explain One Whole The super heroes use fraction bar models to show why, when the numerator and denominator are the same, the fraction is actually one whole. Karate Fractions The karate guy fails to break the board into pieces to help students understand the meaning of whole.

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MATH PARK

Show # 304 “Fractions of a Set” (Grades 2-4) Instructional Goals:

• Fractions can also be represented as objects in groups

• Using fractions of a set to introduce the concept of equivalent fractions Program Segments: Reviewing Area Models of Fractions The cast asks review questions about area models of fractions, then Ranger Rith introduces fractions of a set with colorful stars. When the cast asks questions, pause and discuss. Dessert Time Filling dessert cups with ice cream and whipped cream provides visual clarity with the concept of fractions of a set. By Land, By Sea, By Air! Pause the video when the cars, boats and planes appear and ask them what fraction of the set is shaded red. The Fraction Match Game In this parody of TV game shows, Ivana and Janet are comparing fractions using fraction of a set visual representations. Math Park Helicopter Ranger Rith takes to the air to show students a colorful train for a lesson on fractions of a set and an introduction on equivalent fractions (three-sixths = one half). Pause and discuss when Ranger Rith asks the students questions. Karate Fractions The karate guy breaks the board into sevenths. The Legend of Math Dillon The math cowboy challenges students to write a fraction in standard form after seeing it in a visual representation. Make sure students have time to get a piece of paper and pencil to play along.

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MATH PARK

Show # 305 “Equivalent Fractions” (Grades 3 – 4)

Instructional Goals:

• Animation of fraction bars and circles help students to see how different fractions can be equivalent.

• Quick review of comparing fractions that are not equal.

Program Segments:

Math Park Salsa Dancers The dancers compare one-half with four-fifths using fraction bar drawings. Pause/discuss with announcer asks if greater than or less than goes between the two fractions.

Shopping at the Fraction Gallery A sales clerk in an upscale store advises a customer on finding different equivalent fractions for one-half. (It is suggested that students watch the entire segment without pausing it the first time as to not break up continuity. There are many other opportunities for classroom discussion later in the program.)

The Protesters Argue About Three-Ninths and One-Third Ranger Rith intervenes to stop the Protesters from arguing about equivalent fractions.

Three-ninths and One-third Animation

Equivalent Fractions in the Park Roberto notices that a rectangular model of five-tenths is equivalent to one-half. Pause when Roberto exits after saying “five-tenths” and ask the student if they see another equivalent fraction.

Review: Comparing One-half and Three-fourths This segment is just to remind students that not all fractions are equivalent. Pause/discuss when the announcer asks, “What goes between them, greater than or less than?”

The Legend of Math Dillon Today the math cowboy challenges the students to solve a comparing fractions problem faster than he does. Visual representations help students understand the concept. Be sure to give students time to get out paper and pencils to participate.

The Numerator and The Denominator and the Circle Model The super heroes try to determine if a circle fraction model with shadings spaced apart can be equal to another fraction. Computer animation shows students how to visualize how three-sixths is equal to one-half. Pause when the animated circle model animation shows all the shaded in parts together. Ask the students which two fractions they see? (Three-sixths and one-half.) Karate Fractions The karate guy breaks a board to demonstrate how four-eighths is equal to one-half.

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MATH PARK

Show #306 “Adding and Subtracting Fractions” (Grades 3-5) Instructional Goals:

• By seeing the visual concept of adding fractions with the same denominators, students will understand why the numerators are added or subtracted but the denominator stays the same.

• Reviewing equivalent fractions

Program Segments: Mixing Paint Janet needs green paint for her painting class. Ranger Rith explains that if she mixes one-third of a cup of yellow paint with one-third of a cup of blue paint, she will get two-thirds of a cup of green paint. Pause the video and ask students what the sum will be when adding one-third and one-third. Give them time to discuss this with their neighbors before calling on students to share their thoughts with the whole class. Using Fraction Bar Models to Add Fractions Ivana poses the problem of adding one-sixth and four-sixths. Animated fraction bars help the students visualize the concept. Pause/discuss what the solution might be. The Fraction Action Game In this parody of TV game shows, The Protesters use random fractions with like denominators to add fractions. Again, an animated fraction bar model makes the concept and procedures clear. Bill and Barbara’s Math Drama A take-off on soap operas features our happily married couple using cupcakes and frosting to demonstrate subtracting fractions with like denominators. Using Fraction Bar Models to Subtract Fractions Ivana reviews the procedure for subtracting fractions with like denominators. Pause/discuss before the solution is revealed on the screen. The Legend of Math Dillon Today the fastest math cowboy in the West challenges the students to compare three-sixths and one-half. The students must try to write greater than or less than before Math Dillon does. This provides a review on a previous lesson about equivalent fractions. Make certain students have paper and pencil ready to participate. Karate Fractions The fraction guy has quite a surprise! Lesson: identifying five-sixths.

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MATH PARK

Show #307 “Introducing Decimals: Tenths” Instructional Goals:

• Relating fractions and decimals (tenths)

• How to read aloud decimals correctly

• Understanding the concept of mixed fractions and mixed decimals

• Comparing mixed decimals Program Segments: Ranger Rith Introduces Decimals Ranger Rith explains to Janet that the fraction three-tenths can be written as a decimal (0.3). Math Park Balloon Popping Contest, Part 1 Ivana has five seconds to see how many balloons she can pop while blindfolded. She pops 0.6 of the balloons. This segment reinforces the relationship between fractions and decimals. Math Park Helicopter Ranger Rith flies by a building with different colored curtains in the ten windows. This explores how fractions of a set of ten can be written as a decimal. Pause/discuss when Ranger Rith asks the students questions. Math Park Balloon Popping Contest, Part 2 Janet participates in the contest and pops 0.8 of the balloons. Ask students how eight-tenths would be written as a decimal before it appears on the screen. Karate Fractions The karate guy uses karate to demonstrate the meaning of 0.8. The Legend of Math Dillon The math cowboy challenges students to write the relating decimal with the fraction nine-tenths before he does. Make certain students have paper and pencil ready to participate. Janet and the Mixed Fractions Janet has two boxes of apples. The first one has ten red apples. The second has ten apples, but three are green and seven are red. She asks students how to express this as a fraction and a decimal. Math Park Salsa Dancers Today Roberto and Janet compare mixed decimal numbers. Pause and discuss if greater than or less than goes between the two mixed decimals. Build a Decimal Number Game Another parody of TV game shows that provides opportunity for discussions on comparing mixed decimals.

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MATH PARK

Show #308 “More Decimal Fun: Tenths and Hundredths” Instructional Goals:

• Reviewing fractions (tenths) written as decimals

• Introducing students to the concept of hundredths written as fractions and decimals.

• Comparing decimals (hundredths)

• Understanding place value with mixed decimal numbers Program Segments: Reviewing Tenths Animation Math Park Helicopter Ranger Rith flies over a parking lot with ten cars of various colors. This provides a review of relating fractions and decimals (tenths). Pause/discuss when Ranger Rith asks the students questions. Introducing Hundredths Animation This segments explains to students how to write hundredths as decimals. The Math Park Athletic Games Three characters are competing in a race. The track is divided into 100 meters. Each individual is timed to see how many meters they can run in ten seconds. This reinforces the previous segment on how to write hundredths as decimals. The students are then asked to compare all three decimals to determine who ran the longest distance. Pause/discuss when the announcer asks who the winner is. One Hundred Ping Pong Balls Find out which person can grab the largest number of ping-pong balls from a bowl of 100 balls. This provides more practice with writing decimals (hundredths). The Legend of Math Dillon Students are challenged to write eight-hundredths in decimal form faster than Math Dillon can. Make certain students have pencil and paper to participate. The Build a Decimal Game Scott and Kat compete to see who can use three random digits to create the larger mixed decimal number. There are three rounds. Pause the video when the announcer asks students to compare the mixed decimal numbers. Karate Fractions The karate guy bids everyone farewell after a demonstration of seventeen-hundredths written as a decimal. Decimal Place Value Animation Animated digits and floating balloons help students understand the value of each digit with mixed decimal numbers.

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Produced and Directed by

ROBERT SHARP ROBERTO DE PALMA

Written by

ROBERT SHARP MARK ARCHULETA

Art Director

ROBERTO DE PALMA

Cast MARK ARCHULETA

STELLA IKEAKA KIFFEN MADDEN LUNSFORD

IVANA MARTINEZ MIKE MARTIN

SCOTT TAKEDA KATHARINE THOMPKIN

Educational Advisors JOHN OLESKIEWICZ

ARLEEN IRVIN JANE STAVERT

ANGELA CONSOLO

Copyright © 2010 Lucky Cat Productions All rights reserved