Here is a third treat from Henri: four videos and text on the role of equivalent fractions to compare fractions, the addition and subtraction of fractions, the multiplication of fractions, and the division of fractions.

The link to them all is here.

Henri writes:

This is an introduction to a visual approach for fraction arithmetic, using an area model on grid paper. It should not replace other approaches: it can complement them, or precede them, or follow them. I do not propose this as a way to get students to be quick and accurate in their calculations. Rather, it is an attempt to have them develop some understanding. The teacher’s role is crucial in making connections to other approaches.

My goal here is to offer students

an approach that is hard to forget — as opposed to multiple techniques that are hard to remember

a visual representation of the fractions themselves, and of the four operations, providing a foundation for conceptual understanding

a context for reflection and discussion, both among students, and in whole-class conversations led by the teacher

I share this approach in short homemade videos (6 to 10 minutes each), and in text. You can choose your preferred format, but I encourage you to use both, as they emphasize different aspects of the issue under discussion. (In fact, for division they present different strategies.)

I apologize for the questionable quality of the videos: I’m new to this medium.

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