Students use the Kidspiration program to model fractions of rods that correspond to Cuisenaire rods. They discover which shorter rods represent fractional values of longer rods. In first grade, the students are responsible for the unit fractions: 1/2, 1/3 and 1/4. Unit fractions have one as the numerator. The second grade indicator includes fractions such as these, with numbers other than one in the numerator. Students should be introduced to the notion that a fraction like 2/3 can also be stated as 2 out of 3 (in the example above, two shaded out of three).

This activity can easily be extended. Students can place two rods together to make a whole, such as with the orange and red rods here. This reinforces that a whole is simply what you define it to be.	Students can explore the idea of equivalent values by splitting the whole up using different rods. The student here discovers that 6/8 = 3/4.	Students can explore values greater than one. In this example, the dark green is the whole. The students discover that the red rods are thirds. This student represents 4/3 or one and one third.

Download A Kidspiration File of this Fraction Activity. This file will only work in the Kidspiration Program.

Indicators:
6.2.1.3 model common fractions
6.3.1.2 represent fractions and mixed numbers using numerals and a variety of models.
6.3.2.1 identify equivalent fractions usingmodels and pictures.
6.4.1.3 recognize and name equivalent fractions.