Integers Blog # 5

I want to begin this blog by point out that CLIPS is an amazing tool for math beginners! Clips takes you step by step through each lesson, expectations, with video/ animated instruction based tutorials. You can test your prior or learn't knowledge at each stage. I chose to explore Integers at the grade 7-8 level. I think this would be a great homework tool for students to test their knowledge on certain math topics they struggle with as it allows for student to see where they might have answered incorrectly. See the clips below for further explanation of my experience: In class we discussed Geometric Shapes for the purpose of understanding the root of fractions and how they play in the bigger picture of many complex math strands. Essentially, that understanding what fractions are telling us is important! How many parts to one whole? Which fraction is bigger using basic equivalent fractions? Why does 2 / 1/3 = 2X3? How many groups of 1/33 are in 2 wholes? The Fraction with the bigger denominator is made of smaller pieces! See pictures below from in class samples: The Tan Gram, and story of the elder who broke his valuables and tried to put all the pieces back together made the lesson interesting, and inviting for students. I enjoyed the tactical act of trying to put all the pieces into one whole square. Then breaking each piece down to estimate what fractions they broken down into. It provided a strong visual for comparison, and made it easier for me to break down each piece. The theatrics were engaging as well!