Benchmark � A �nice� number that
can be used to estimate the si ze of
other number s. 0, 1/2 and 1 are
good benchmarks
D ecimal� A special form of a frac-
tion. 1/2 can be written i n the form
of 0.5
Denominator � The number written
below the line in a fracti on. In the
fracti on 3/4, 4 is the denominator
Equivalent Fractions � Fractions
that are equal in value but have dif-
ferent numerators and denom ina-
tors. For exampl e, 2/3 and 14/21
are equi valent fractions .
Numerator � The number written
above the line in a fracti on. In the
fracti on 5/8, 5 is the numerator.
Bits and Pieces I
Glossary
Connected Mathematics
Project
Everett Public Schools
Mathematics Program
Proposed Time Frame:
Approximately 6 weeks
Bits and
Pieces I
Fractions and Decimals
Unit Goals
Relationships of fr actions,
decima ls and percents
Understand and use
equivalent fractions
Estimate the size of a
number or sum
Use estimation to
understand a situat ion
Web Resources
You will find web re-
sources at:
www.illuminations.
nctm.org
Fraction Games
Fraction Pie
Tips for Helping at
Home
Good questions and
good listening will help
children make sense of mathemat-
ics and build self-conf idence. A
g ood question opens up a problem
and supports different ways of
thinking about it. Here are some
questions you might try, notice that
none of them can be answered with
a simple �yes� or �no�.
Getting Started
What do you need to fi nd out?
What do you need to know?
What terms do y ou understand
or not understand?
While Working
How can you organize the in-
formation?
Do you see any patterns or rela-
tions hips that will help solve
this?
What would happen if�?
Reflecting about the Solution
How do you know your answer
is reasonable?
Has the question been an-
swered?
Can you explain it another
way?
At Home:
1 Talk with your child about
what�s going on in mathe-
matics class.
2 Look for ways to link mathe-
matical learning to daily ac-
tivities. Encourag e your
child to figu re out the
amounts fo r halving a recipe,
estim ating gas mileage, or
fig uring a restaurant tip.
3 Encourage your child to
schedule a regular time for
homework and provide a
comfortable place fo r their
study, free from distractions.
4 M onitor your child�s home-
work on a regular basis by
looking at one problem or
asking your child to briefly
describe the focus of the
homework. When y our child
asks fo r help, work with
them instead of doing the
problem for them.
At School
1 Attend Open House, Back to
School Night, and after
school events.
2 Join the parent-teacher or-
ganization
investigation 1 Fund-Raising Fractions
U nderstand the relationship of a fraction
to the whole
Understand the meaning of fractions
larger than a whole
Use fractions to describe real-w orld
situations
Investigation 2 Comparing Fractions
Compare fractions
Na me, estimate and compare fractions
Build a number line and label points be-
tween whole numbers.
Investigation 3 Cooking with Fractions
C ontinue to build an understanding of
equiva lent fractions (1/2, 2/4, 3/6�s etc.)
Ex plore real-life problems that require
use of fractions
Investigation 4 From Fractions to Deci-
mals
Extend knowledge of place value wi th
w hole numbers to decimal numbers
Wr ite, compare and order decimal num-
bers
Investigation 5 Moving Between Frac-
tions and Decimals
U nderstand that decimals and fractions
show the same proportions
Connected Mathematics Project
Mathematics in
Investigations
Phone: 425-385-4062
Fax: 425-385-4092
Email: mstine@everett.wednet.edu