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Picture This: Fractions, the real F word


Fractions - another one of those things that send shivers down the spines of adults who never EVER have to see them again, right?
 
Well, sure. Unless you use a measuring tape. Or cook or bake - especially if you decide to double or *gasp* halve a recipe.  

I think we can all agree that fractions HAVE a place in the real world.  So why in the world do we allow our students to hate them so much?

Fractions are seen earlier and earlier in elementary math these days and for good reason: we don't need to hide concepts from kids. Every single child understands what half a sandwich looks like (and can probably tell you if their brother just got the "bigger half"...which can't be a thing, but I digress...)
What do you, as a parent or tutor or homework helper, need to know about fractions in elementary school? I'm going to explore a few different strategies for fraction work in a series of videos. Starting with pictures.  


If you're out there trying to help a kid in your life with fractions, please encourage them to draw a picture.  They may whine (when don't they?) but you'll get to see how they're imagining the problem and hopefully steer them in the right direction.




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