School started back up for us this week. First on our list of new math content to conquer is fractions. We're starting out with the most basic concepts and progressing slowly so no one gets lost along the way.
These Montessori-inspired Introduction to Fractions Activities have been a huge hit!
If you don't have these materials, don't fret!
It is designed using the Montessori fraction colors.
This resource helps transition students through every step of understanding fractions.
The printable pack includes resources that can be used with all of the fraction circles.
Every fraction from 1/1 to 10/10 is included.
Fraction "Treasure" Boxes
After cutting, printing, and introducing all of the fabulous resources in the
Montessori-inspired Intro to Fractions Printable Pack I realized that the presentation of these printables on our shelves was going to make a HUGE difference in who selected the work from our math shelves.
Some of my kiddos become very overwhelmed when they see a huge stack of cards. A huge stack of cards on a shelf, even in a cute basket, is a guaranteed way to ensure my kiddos won't choose the work.
So I went a different route and created fraction boxes using the
adorable little drawers you can see in pictures. When Sunshine saw them for the first time she named them the fraction "treasure" boxes. That's what they've been called in our house ever since. Needless to say she absolutely loves them.
Each box contains fraction printables related to each fraction circle minus the 1/1 fraction of course.
Fraction "Treasure" Boxes
The first day Sunshine used the fraction materials, she selected the two part and three part fraction "treasure" boxes. All of the images in this post reflect that. The same materials can be found in all of the boxes all the way up to the ten parts box.
Creating Fractions
The first thing Sunshine did when she brought the box to her work space (she selected a low table) was pull out the faction cards and use them with our fraction circles.
Fraction tickets with individual numbers and lines are included in the
Montessori-inspired Intro to Fractions Printable Pack as well but I did not include them in our treasure boxes. I only use them for lessons.
If you don't have fraction circles of your own do not worry! The
Montessori-inspired Intro to Fractions Printable Pack includes a set you can print out.
You have two options.
The first set is colored red, ready for you to print, cut out etc.
The second set is black and white. You can
purchase red card stock to save ink when printing or have your students create their own set of fractions using markers, crayons, or colored pencils.
The black and white fractions also provide you with the opportunity to use different colors for each fraction if you feel this would help your child during the learning process.
Emptying the Contents of the Montessori Fractions "Treasure" Box
Once Lily finished with the fraction cards she decided to dump out all of the contents in the box. At first I was a little bit nervous about her strategy but followed her lead. I'm so glad I did.
Sorting Materials in the Montessori Fractions "Treasure" Box
She wanted to look through every "treasure" in her box and then started sorting them by fraction.
Every child is different in how they'll complete the contents of each box.
Boxes for fractions with fewer parts will include less content than boxes for fractions with more parts.
Organizing Contents in the Montessori Fractions "Treasure" Box
This picture was taken about half way through the process. You'll notice the fraction cards, nomenclature cards, clip cards, and color in the fraction cards. I included red glass beads for the clip cards as well.
Coloring Fraction Circles
When Sunshine finished sorting the various fraction activities, she colored her fraction cards using the corresponding fraction circle as her control, and added it to the bottom of each fraction column.
I was so impressed with how quickly Sunshine picked up the idea of fractions. She has asked to complete a new "treasure" box every day and is rocking each one.
Equal or Not Equal Parts Red Fraction Clip Cards
Also included in the
Montessori-inspired Intro to Fractions Printable Pack are Equal and Not Equal Parts Red Fraction Clip Cards.
I have not introduced these to Sunshine yet, but have used them with my older kiddos, who love them. They sit in their own basket on our Montessori shelves.
I did not include them in our fraction "treasure" boxes as they are not specific to number fractions.
Fraction Word Match Up Strips
I did not include the Fraction Word Match Up Strips in the treasure boxes for two reasons.
First, some of my kiddos still can't read. I wanted to make sure that everyone could complete every activity in the boxes.
Second, at full size as they do not fit in the boxes I purchased. If you're able to shrink the wordstrip pages so that you can print two pages to one, they would work perfectly.
I can't wait to use these in the future when everyone is reading.
It has been the perfect resource for my Montessori preschool and elementary kiddos.
Lucky for you this fabulous resource is debuting this month which means you can get it on sale!
EU Costumers: Remember to use the Teachers Pay Teachers link on the product page to avoid complications with the purchase of your product.
