Counting fractions
This activity is designed for parents and whānau to do with their child to count fractions over one. For example: 1/3, 2/3, 1, 4/3, 5/3, 2, 7/3.
About this resource
This resource helps learners to count fractions over one. For example: 1/3, 2/3, 1, 4/3, 5/3, 2, 7/3.
Counting fractions
Required materials
- pen and paper
- oranges or apples, or choose something round and easy to cut up evenly.
See Materials that come with this resource to download:
- Counting fractions activity (.pdf)
What to do
Cut an orange into quarters.
Ask your child how many quarters are in the orange.
Count the pieces one quarter: two quarters, three quarters, and four quarters, and ask your child to write down the fractions. 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4.
Cut another orange into quarters.
Ask your child to keep counting the quarters 5/4, 6/4, 7/4, 8/4 and to continue to write the list of fractions.
Ask them:
- What is another name for 4 quarters? (1)
- What is another name for 8 quarters? (2)
- What is another name for 6 quarters? (1 2/4 or 1 1/2)
Encourage them to use the oranges or drawings to find the answer.
Help your child draw three circles on paper and mark them in thirds.
Count the thirds together: one third, two thirds, three thirds.
Ask your child to count in thirds and to write the sequence.
Ask your child these questions:
- What is another name for 3 thirds? (1)
- What is another name for 6 thirds? (2)
- What is another name for 5 thirds? (1 2/3)
What to expect your child to do
- Read and write the fractions in a sequence.
- Recognise the number of quarters in whole numbers, and the number of thirds in whole numbers.
Variations
- Children can also practice counting backwards in fractions. For example, 4/3, 1, 2/3, 1/3
- You could use flat or round pancakes, spikelets, or roti to cut up in quarters or thirds.
- Do this activity with fifths and tenths. Large, flat pancakes may be better for tenths.
He kupu Māori
Third |
Hautoru |
Quarter |
Hauwhā |
Fifth |
Haurima |
Tenth |
Hauono |
Equal parts |
Wāhanga ōrite |
Count |
Tatau (-ria) |
Symbol |
Tohu |
He whakawhitinga kōrero
- Tapahia te āporo kia whā nga wāhanga ōrite. (Cut the apple into four equal pieces.)
- E hia ngā hauwhā? (How many quarters?)
- Tatauria ngā hauwhā. (Count the quarters.)
- Kotahi hauwhā, e rua hauwhā, e toru hauwhā, e whā hauwhā. (One quarter, two quarters, three quarters, four quarters.)
- Tuhia ngā tohu mō ngā hauwhā. (Write the symbol for the quarters.)
- Tapahia tētahi anō āporo kia hauwhā. (Cut another apple into quarters.)
- Tatauria tonuhia ngā hauwhā. (Continue counting the quarters.)
- He aha tētahi atu ingoa mō te whā hauwhā? (Whats another name for four quarters?)
- He aha tētahi atu ingoa mō te waru hauwhā? (Whats another name for eight quarters?)
- He aha tētahi atu ingoa mō te ono hauwhā? (Whats another name for six quarters?)
- Ko te kotahi me te haurua. (One and a half)
- Tuhia kia rua ngā porowhita. (Draw two circles.)
- Whakaaturia ngā hautoru ki ngā porowhita. (Show thirds on the circles.)
- Wehea ngā porowhita kia toru ngā wāhanga ōrite. (Divide the circles in to three equal parts.)
- E hia katoa ngā hautoru kei roto i ngā porowhita e rua? (How many thirds in the two circles?)
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