Apple Fractions by Jerry Pallotta
Pallotta, J. (2002). Apple fractions. New York: Scholastic.
Age appropriateness: Grades 4-6
Summary:
Apple Fractions by Jerry Pallotta is an excellent book to help introduce fraction concepts. The author uses the theme of apples to introduce fractions, because of their familiarity to many students. Apples can be easily cut into different sized slices, so using them as a manipulative for learning about fractions can be very beneficial. Students are also able to compare fractions such as 1/2, 1/3, and 1/4 by visually seeing the differences in the sizes of the sliced apples.
Analysis:
Apple Fractions gives students the introduction and vocabulary needed to understand fractions and how they relate to each other. It would also be appropriate for students in fourth grade since they are able to make the connections between different fractions and how they can be ordered. Students can see the visual representations of what certain fractions look like compared to others. This book also uses excellent vocabulary, including some of the vocabulary words that are listed earlier in the vocabulary section.
When exploring this book with your child, you will want to make note and have your child take notice of several components. Before even opening the book, have your child survey the front and back covers and any pages that are not part of the story, also known as the front/end matter. Have your child comment on these pages, asking them questions such as "What do you notice about this page?" or "Look at the chart on the back cover. What do you notice about each of the slices of apples in comparison to the other slices?" Exploring the pages outside of the story will give your child an introduction to what the story will be about and will catch his/her attention. While your child is reading this book, have him/her pause to reflect and comment about the new material that is being introduced. This book is filled with math content, so stopping to ensure comprehension is essential in future fraction comprehension.
Integrated Activity:
Materials:
Summary:
Apple Fractions by Jerry Pallotta is an excellent book to help introduce fraction concepts. The author uses the theme of apples to introduce fractions, because of their familiarity to many students. Apples can be easily cut into different sized slices, so using them as a manipulative for learning about fractions can be very beneficial. Students are also able to compare fractions such as 1/2, 1/3, and 1/4 by visually seeing the differences in the sizes of the sliced apples.
Analysis:
Apple Fractions gives students the introduction and vocabulary needed to understand fractions and how they relate to each other. It would also be appropriate for students in fourth grade since they are able to make the connections between different fractions and how they can be ordered. Students can see the visual representations of what certain fractions look like compared to others. This book also uses excellent vocabulary, including some of the vocabulary words that are listed earlier in the vocabulary section.
When exploring this book with your child, you will want to make note and have your child take notice of several components. Before even opening the book, have your child survey the front and back covers and any pages that are not part of the story, also known as the front/end matter. Have your child comment on these pages, asking them questions such as "What do you notice about this page?" or "Look at the chart on the back cover. What do you notice about each of the slices of apples in comparison to the other slices?" Exploring the pages outside of the story will give your child an introduction to what the story will be about and will catch his/her attention. While your child is reading this book, have him/her pause to reflect and comment about the new material that is being introduced. This book is filled with math content, so stopping to ensure comprehension is essential in future fraction comprehension.
Integrated Activity:
Materials:
- Apples
- Plastic knife
- Piece of paper
- Pencil
- Give your student several different apples and with close supervision, allow them to cut the apples into different fractions.Encourage him/her to choose a variety of fractions to cut the apples into.
- Have your student record and describe to you the different types of fractions he/she is creating when slicing each apple.
- Give your child time to manipulate the apple slices into different combinations of equivalent fractions, or pieces of apple (for example, your student may choose a half of an apple and then choose 2 1/4 pieces of an apple and state that each are equivalent to the other)
- Your student sound record their findings of different equivalent fraction combinations on a piece of paper. Then give your student time to reflect on their findings in a journal entry. Encourage your student to share their findings with you, using as many key vocabulary words as are appropriate.
The Wishing Club: A Story about Fractions by Donna Jo Napoli
Napoli, D. J. (2007). The Wishing Club: a story about fractions. New York: Henry Holt.
Age Appropriateness: Grades 3-4
Summary:
In The Wishing Club by Donna Jo Napoli, Joey, Petey, and Sally all wish upon a star for a cookie, dollar, and a bag of marbles. Each child receives only a fraction of what they were wishing for. Samantha, Sally’s twin sister, realizes a pattern has occurred with each wish. The age of each wisher was the denominator of the amount of their wish that they received. Working together Joey, Petey, Sally, and Samantha all wished together for the pet they always wanted.
Analysis:
The Wishing Club contains crucial fraction content, especially when dealing with ordering and comparing fractions. Each child only receives a fraction of his/her wish, depending on his/her age. This allows for the reader to learn fractions through content that is relevant to his/her life. The content aligns accurately with the Common Core standards for fourth grade, so reading this particular book will give your child accurate comparisons between fractions.
The writing style is definitely different for this book compared to Apple Fractions, which consisted of mostly math content. The Wishing Club has a set storyline that is easy to follow and the math content is embedded within the plot. Again, begin by focusing on the front and end matter of the book. Have students make predictions about how fractions are incorporated into the story. When reading this particular book with your child, be sure to pause and reflect on the fraction vocabulary and content that is embedded in the story. Ask your child how much of the wish was granted for each child in comparison to the others. Then at the end of the story, ask how the combinations of the children's wishes were combined to receive the wish that they asked for. Discuss how combining and comparing fractions can yield a larger fraction all together.
Integrated Activity:
Materials:
Summary:
In The Wishing Club by Donna Jo Napoli, Joey, Petey, and Sally all wish upon a star for a cookie, dollar, and a bag of marbles. Each child receives only a fraction of what they were wishing for. Samantha, Sally’s twin sister, realizes a pattern has occurred with each wish. The age of each wisher was the denominator of the amount of their wish that they received. Working together Joey, Petey, Sally, and Samantha all wished together for the pet they always wanted.
Analysis:
The Wishing Club contains crucial fraction content, especially when dealing with ordering and comparing fractions. Each child only receives a fraction of his/her wish, depending on his/her age. This allows for the reader to learn fractions through content that is relevant to his/her life. The content aligns accurately with the Common Core standards for fourth grade, so reading this particular book will give your child accurate comparisons between fractions.
The writing style is definitely different for this book compared to Apple Fractions, which consisted of mostly math content. The Wishing Club has a set storyline that is easy to follow and the math content is embedded within the plot. Again, begin by focusing on the front and end matter of the book. Have students make predictions about how fractions are incorporated into the story. When reading this particular book with your child, be sure to pause and reflect on the fraction vocabulary and content that is embedded in the story. Ask your child how much of the wish was granted for each child in comparison to the others. Then at the end of the story, ask how the combinations of the children's wishes were combined to receive the wish that they asked for. Discuss how combining and comparing fractions can yield a larger fraction all together.
Integrated Activity:
Materials:
- Pencils
- Construction paper/printer paper
- Crayons
- Your student can create his/her own Wishing Club story.Have him/her brainstorm what each friend would wish for and then determine what fraction of the wish each friend would receive (remember that the denominator of the fraction is the friend's age). Encourage your child to draw and journal about the wishes and fractions he/she comes up with.
- Then have your student create a word problem using the fractions that were created in his/her story. Guide them in creating a word problem that involves working with ordering of fractions and determining which friend would receive the largest and smallest amount of their wish.
- The student will then use the SIR RIGHT procedure to solve his/her problem, being sure to work through the problem in a successful manner.