Fraction Skittles

Fraction skittles make the connection between fractions and division concrete—finding 1/5 means dividing into 5 equal groups.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Mathematics
• Learning area: Fractions
• Level: Ages 5-6

Objectives

• Connect fractions to division
• Find fractions of quantities
• Apply fractions to group settings

Materials

• 10 skittles
• Fraction problem cards
• Counters (30)
• Recording sheet

Instructions

1. Place 5 skittles and 20 counters. 2. 'Find 1/5 of 20. Share equally among 5 skittles.' 3. Distribute: 4 each. '1/5 of 20 is 4.' 4. 'Find 2/5 of 20.' Take 2 skittles' shares: 8. 5. Try different quantities and fractions. 6. Record as equations: 1/5 × 20 = 4.

Educator tip

The skittles personify the denominator—children are sharing among 'people' which makes the concept intuitive.

Assessment

Child finds unit and non-unit fractions of quantities using skittles.

More from Mathematics

• Fraction Nomenclature
• Geometric Cabinet
• Perimeter Exploration
• Area Introduction with Unit Squares
• Place Value Chart Building
• Number Composition and Decomposition
• Ordinal Numbers
• Rounding to Nearest Ten