Lesson Ideas

  1. Match Fraction Circles
  2. Match Regular Polygons
  3. Polygons and Fraction Circles
  4. Fraction Circles and Numerals
  5. Polygons and Numerals
  6. Design with Shapes
  7. External Sectors
  8. More Shapes Design
  9. Measure Sector Angles
  10. Drawing Polygons with Logo
  11. Sweepers

Research

  1. Design Problem
  2. Literature Review
  3. Work Models
  4. Design Patterns
  5. Design Experiments
  6. Lesson Ideas
  7. Montessori Computes
  8. Thinking About Circles

Related Links

Patterns and Design

Montessori

 

Fraction Circles and Numerals

Age: 4 & up

Prerequisites: Association of number rods to numerals; matching fraction circles.

Screen objects: Numerals from 1 to 10 down left side of screen. At bottom of screen are ten matching fraction circles placed in random order. All of these circles are colored red to match the physical fraction circles. Next to the left hand column is a column of circles. These circles are simply red outlines with no lines to indicate sectors.

Presentation: (Individual or small group)

  1. Invite the child(ren).
  2. Announce that you are going to launch the fraction circles with numerals.
  3. Launch the fraction circles-numeral association application.
  4. Click on the numeral 1. The system will respond by pronouncing the word "one".
  5. Ask the child(ren) to find a circle with one sector.
  6. Drag the circle to the red outline of a circle next to the numeral. The system will darken the circle as if it were clicked and say "One. One sector".
  7. Continue with the rest of the fraction circles.
  8. Say "I can quit the application, or I can do it again." Depending on the interest shown by the child(ren), quit the application or push the "Try Again" button and repeat the presentation.
  9. Be sure to quit the application and return to the launcher when finished.
  10. Offer the child(ren) the opportunity to perform the exercise.

Variations: Matching the numerals to sides of a polygon.

Extensions: Sectors and numerals matching.

Points of Interest: Matching the fraction circle to the numeral.

Control of Error: System responds by counting sectors when circle is placed in outline (darkening them and counting out loud). If count does not match numeral to its left, the circle falls back down to the bottom of the screen.

Direct Aims: Symbol association.

Indirect Aims: Preparation for recognition of external angles of regular polygons.

Software Affordance: The association of the number rods to numerals requires teacher verification. This exercise uses control of error to support the child's autonomy.

Software Constraints: The sectors of the fraction circles cannot be removed from the circles. The sectors, circles and numerals cannot be rotated.

Leone Learning Systems, Inc. (LLS) is a North Shore company that provides online courses for kids anywhere and local teaching and tutoring services for students in Chicago and the Northern Suburbs of Chicagoland. LLS also provides a free geometry software package for children age 6 and up, and free resources for teachers and parents. This site includes information about classes taught, availability for tutoring, learning activities for kids, lesson plans, and an ongoing software and curriculum research and development effort.