Introduction to Fractions Using Cuisenaire Rods

Gwendolyn M. Manson            Benjamin Banneker
                               6656 S. Normal
                               Chicago IL 60621
                               (312) 535-3020

Objective(s): Grade 5

     (1) Students will visually "see" and manipulate fractions with Cuisenaire 
         Rods staircase to develop concept and fractional relationships. 
     (2) Students will learn numerical values of rods and relate them to color 
         and length. 
     (3) Students will use varied approaches to discovering new fractional 
         relationships that answer the "why" in fractions and lessen "the only 
         one way" hazard. 
     (4) Students will write a problem-solving story that is interest-based but 
         also demonstrates basic understanding of fractions and vocabulary 
         usage. 
     (5) Students will relate fractions in a relevant way to their culture.

Materials Needed:

     (1)  Cuisenaire Rods - One set per student
     (2)  Overhead Projector - Class
     (3)  Overhead Cuisenaire Rods - 1 set per class
     (4)  Acetate Sheets - 6 per class
     (5)  Grease Pens - Two per class    
     (6)  Poster Boards - One per five groups
     (7)  Magic Markers - One per five groups
     (8)  Worksheets (2) - Two per student

Strategy:
     
     (1)  Display objects and discuss why fractions are important and 
          needed in real-life situations, i.e. sewing, fabric measurement,
          money, recipes, telling time, body measurements, etc. 
     (2)  Students will work in cooperative groups (A-E) and build a rod 
          staircase.
     (3)  Students will explore, examine and learn the colors, lengths and 
          numerical value of each rod.
     (4)  Students and teacher work together using the Overhead Projector 
          with Cuisenaire Rods to develop and write fractional equivalents 
          and relationships.
     (5)  Learners will make values of ten using each of the colored rods.   
     (6)  Students will do multiples of the white, red and light green rods.
     (7)  Display an orange rod and show that it takes two yellow rods to
          make an orange rod.  Write in the following manner:
                               O     = 2 Yellow
                               1/2 O = Y
     (8)  Do the same with the Red (R), Dark Green (D), and Brown (N) which 
          are multiples of two.
     (9)  Students discover the multiples of three, i.e. E=3G read as Blue 
          equals three Green, 1/3 E=G.
     (10) Students will do a self checking worksheet to answer a Cuisenaire 
          Rod riddle.
     (11) Students will form cooperative groups (A-E) to write a mathematical 
          story for a specific combination of Cuisenaire Rods displayed on the
          Overhead Projector.

References:

Using the Cuisenaire Rods, A Photo Text Guide for Teachers - Jessica Davidson
Cuisenaire Company of America, 12 Church Street, New Rochelle, NY 10805