Visual Fractions: A Beginning Fractions Book
#1 in Visual Math Series
on Goodreads (12)
What’s inside...
This math workbook from the Dr. Pi Squared Math Workbooks series focuses on teaching fractions to kids through visual aids. It begins with pie slices and progresses through various shapes like triangles, squares, and hexagons, using colorful pictures to help students determine fractions. Challenges include determining fractions for groups of shapes and identifying fractions related to colors, directions, and types of letters. It includes a clear answer section, ample space for writing, large fonts, and high-quality paper.
Discussion points
What do you think about the way fractions are shown using pictures in the book?
Can you explain how the fractions in the story relate to fractions we use in everyday life?
Why do you think understanding fractions is important?
Which visual example of fractions in the book did you find most interesting or helpful?
How would you teach fractions to a friend using what you learned from this book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the visual fractions from the book to real-world objects around the house, like slicing a pizza or dividing a group of apples. Highlight the importance of understanding fractions in everyday tasks and future academic subjects. Praise their efforts to understand and explain the concepts, and assist them in creating their own visual fractions with crafts or drawings to deepen the understanding. Share your own experiences or challenges with learning fractions to create a more relatable discussion.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Basic Fractions
Explanation: Through engaging illustrations and simple explanations, 'Visual Fractions' introduces children to the concept of fractions, helping them visualize part-whole relationships.
Real-World Application: This foundational skill assists children in mathematical tasks like measuring ingredients for cooking or dividing a pizza among friends, fostering practical arithmetic skills.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving Skills
Explanation: The book presents various fraction problems, encouraging children to apply logical thinking to find solutions.
Real-World Application: These problem-solving techniques can be used in everyday situations such as sharing and distributing items equally among peers.
Example Lesson: Attention to Detail
Explanation: Children are required to pay close attention to the fractional parts and how they contribute to forming a whole, enhancing their observation skills.
Real-World Application: This skill is beneficial in activities such as art, where attention to detail is crucial in creating accurate and complete works.
Example Lesson: Confidence in Math
Explanation: By demystifying fractions and presenting them in an accessible way, this book helps build self-confidence in children’s mathematical abilities.
Real-World Application: Increased confidence in math can lead to a positive attitude towards learning more complex mathematical concepts and a proactive approach to school assignments.