Instructional Procedure for Unit Plan

Instructional Procedures
Introducing the Unit

Begin the unit by posting the Unit Question, Are fractions important or would we be better off without them?

Elicit students’ initial responses and have them record their thoughts in their math journals.

During Week One of the unit, introduce fractions using the fraction basics teacher presentation. To help students understand fractions in a concrete way, involve them in a variety of hands-on experiences working with real-life fractions. Have them decorate cookies as fractional parts, divide paper cookies among friends, examine fractions in everyday life, and create their own fraction models. After each activity, allow students to take pictures of fractional parts for the class digital library, to be used in later projects. Take anecdotal notes while students are experimenting to document skills that may need reviewing before continuing the unit.

Pass out the project rubric and discuss unit requirements. Tell students you will be using this rubric to assess their work and understanding of mathematical concepts learned throughout the unit.

Creating and Publishing a Newsletter During Week Two, involve students in more hands-on experiences dealing with fractions, notation, and equivalency. At the end of the week, divide students into groups and instruct each group to write about (summarize) one of these activities to publish in a class newsletter. Pass out the newsletter scoring guide to help guide the process.

Have students hold peer and teacher conferences to receive feedback on their writing. Instruct students to create an article heading, paste in their edited writing, and add graphics or photos to the class newsletter template using publishing software.

Publish the newsletter and then send it home to parents.

Technology In the Classroom