4th-Grade Math Assignment
Overview
Fourth-grade students decompose fractions using an area model and multiplication to show the equivalence of two fractions. This assignment is strong because it requires students to decompose an area model of a fraction to create equivalent fractions and connect this to the symbolic representation of the fraction. Students also consider how the number and size of pieces changes.
Why is this assignment strongly aligned?
Focus
This assignment is well-aligned to the target fourth grade standard 4.NF.A.1. The assignment requires students to explain and generate equivalent fractions using visual fraction models. Question two requires students to consider how the number and size of parts differ even when two fractions are equivalent.
Rigor
This assignment builds students’ conceptual understanding of equivalent fractions, the aspect of rigor outlined in standard 4.NF.A.1. The standard calls for students to explain why two fractions are equivalent using visual fraction models. The standard also requires attention to the counter-intuitive idea that two fractions with different size parts can represent the same quantity. This assignment supports students’ conceptual understanding of equivalent fractions by explicitly connecting visual and symbolic representations and requiring students to attend the difficult concept that one quantity can be named in two ways.
Practice Standards
This assignment allows students to engage in two mathematical practice standards. Students connect their quantitative area models with more abstract expressions and equations and generate equivalent fractions. This provides students the chance to engage with Mathematical Practice Standard #2 (“Reason abstractly and quantitatively”). Students also had opportunities during this lesson to explore their thinking and that of others through turn and talks to defend their thinking, and consider the thinking of others when considering how the number and size of the parts changed in the symbolic and visual representations. This provides students a chance to engage with Mathematical Practice #3 (“Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others”).
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From EngageNY.org of the New York State Education Department. Grade 4 Mathematics Module 5, Topic B, Lesson 7: Use the area model and multiplication to show the equivalence of two fractions. Internet. Available from https://www.engageny.org/resource/grade-4-mathematics-module-5-topic-b-lesson-7, and derived from Eureka Math as licensed by Great Minds; accessed August 14, 2020.