Multiplying to Divide Fractions
Use the mat to explain how to divide fractions by fractions.
What is the rate?
Introduce students to the idea of a ratio and how it can be written as a fraction (a/b), and how that relates to the unit rate (“for each 1”). Write out cards with real-world scenarios on them. Have a student draw a card. Examples: Students must find the corresponding ratio on the mat (e.g., 2/3 […]
Supplement me or Complement me?
Have a student roll two dice. Have them put together the two numbers to make a two digit number they’ll use as their angle. Then have them jump to either the supplementary or complementary space on the mat. Ask a second student to figure out what the supplement/complement to the original angle (from the dice) […]
Supplementary or Complementary
Have a student jump down the mat and stop on either the supplementary space or the complementary space. When they stop, they shout out which one they chose. The rest of the students either lie flat on the floor (if supplementary) or sit up straight at a 90-degree angle (if complementary). This helps reinforce the […]
Angles into Triangles
Have students toss a bean bag onto the mat. Have them identify the type of angle where the bean bag landed. Then, challenge them: Can you form a triangle using that type of angle? They can work with two partners (lying down together to form the three sides) or use their fingers to model it. […]
Football Toss
On the Add/Subtract Mat practice patterns, multiples, addition or subtraction while kids have fun practicing their tossing and catching skills. Designate a quarterback and a receiver (students could take turns in the roles to involve the whole class) and give them an objective, such as count by 7s to 100. The receiver stands on 7, […]
Least Common Multiple – Factor Fun
Place two factors less than 12 on the edge of the mat. Ask students to find the prime factorization of both and place the corresponding cards onto the middle of the mat. If they share a number in common remove one of the duplicates (e.g. if there one number has two 2s and another has […]
Division by a Whole
Choose a unit fraction. Roll a die that will determine the divisor for the problem. Now, use small strips of paper, string, or electric tape to divide one of the pictures on the chosen unit fraction by that number. Count how many sections you made.
Exploring Fractions
Have students walk along the mat starting at 1/2. Make sure that they take time to observe and discuss the pictures on that space. You can introduce terminology through this exploration; for example, “One whole divided into two equal parts. It is called one half.” Continue this process across the mat for 1/3, 1/4, etc., […]
Decomposition
Have a student toss a bean bag onto the mat. Look at the numerator of the fraction that the beanbag lands on and have that many students stand on the unit fraction, matching the denominator. For example: If the bean bag lands on 3/8 have three students stand on 1/8 to show that 3/8 is […]
