Monstrous Math

NAME: ____________________________

Grade Level(s): 4th

Subject(s):

• Mathematics/Arithmetic
• Language Arts/Writing

Description: In this lesson, students use fraction circles to create a "fraction monster." Students
practice their skills in adding fractions with unlike denominators. The activity also provides an
opportunity to integrate creative writing into the math curriculum. Students will be able to type a
word document making a story about fractions. Next, they can create a fraction wheen using
Inspiration.

Goal: Students will be able to add fractions with unlike denominators and use their creative
writing skills to construct a short story.

National/State Standards:

• The students will use models, benchmarks, and equivalent forms to judge the size of
fractions
• Model and identify equivalent fractions. (DOK 2)

NETS –S Standards:

• Use keyboards and other common input and output devices (including adaptive
devices when necessary) efficiently and effectively.
• Use technology tools (e.g., multimedia authoring, presentation, Web tools, digital
cameras, and scanners) for individual and collaborative writing, communication,
and publishing activities to create knowledge products for audiences inside and
outside the classroom.

Objectives:

The students will:

1. create a "fraction monster" using at least four different types of fraction circle pieces
(halves, twelfths, thirds, etc.).
2. add the fractions in their "fraction monsters" to arrive at a total value.
3. write a creative short story about their "fraction monsters."
 4. The students will invent a fraction wheel that will demonstrate his or her knowledge of
fractions on the program Inspiration.

Materials:

• Ellison cutouts of fraction circle pieces [each type of fraction (halves, thirds, fourths, etc.)
should be a different color]
• white sheets of construction paper
• glue
• pencils
• paper
• posterboard
• The Inspiration program is needed on the computer
• Microsoft Word will need to be available

Procedures:

Activity One (notice that the first part include the Teacher’s procedures/actions and the second
part consists of Students’ procedures/tasks to complete the activity)

1. Teacher will prepare the classroom for the activity by collecting required materials and
resources for students to use for the hands-on activity.
2. Teacher will develop instructional materials for the lesson activity (e.g., overheads).
3. Review the addition of fractions with different denominators. Write a couple of problems
on the board, and review how to find a common denominator. Inform students that they
are going to do some "monstrous math problems" today.
4. Put the box of Ellison cutouts in a central location. Explain that the cutouts represent
fractions of whole circles (you may want to sketch a couple of examples on the board --
one circle divided into thirds, another circle divided into sixths, etc.). Let students know
that each color represents a different fraction (e.g., a yellow piece is 1/2, a red piece is
1/4, etc.).
5. Ask students to use at least four different types of fraction circle pieces to create a
"fraction monster." Students can glue their pieces on a sheet of white construction paper.
Remind students to put their names on their papers.
6. After students have created their monsters, they should add up the fraction values that
they used.
7. Students will record their work on a piece of paper (to be collected later).
8. Ask students to share their results to see who has a monster made up of the most whole
circles and who has a monster made up of the least whole circles.
9. Then, have students write a creative short story about their monsters on paper to be
presented to class and later pasted to a class posterboard for everyone to see. Students
will vote on whose story is the best.
10. Remind students to check their work for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
11. Teacher will collect and display students' "fraction monsters" and stories, and check for
accuracy in adding unlike denominators.
Activity Two

• The teacher will need to have available all of the items ready on the computer
such as Microsoft Word and Inspiration
• The students will then be able to create a wheel showing the fractions
• The students will also show me that learning has occurred by how they create
the wheel.
• The short story will show the creativity of his or her mind on this assignment.

Assessment/Evaluation:

Activity One

The fraction monster activity will be evaluated using a 5 point rubric (1 being the lowest
score) on these criteria: participation, accurate calculation, and problem-solving.

The short story activity will be evaluated using a 5 point rubric (1 being the lowest score)
on these criteria: participation, creativity, and presentation style.

Activity Two

• I will have a rubric for the writing portion of the assignment.

• I will judge on:
• creativity, grammar, and turned in on time, and effort