Fraction Talks

Topics: Mental math, numerical fluency; argument & critique
Materials: White board or projector
Common Core: Variable, and especially MP3 and NF

This mental math routine creates powerful positive habits for students to understand
and think productively about fractions.

Fraction talks developed as a way to use the Number Talk routine to target fractions. A growing body of fraction talks are available at fractiontalks.com.

I’ve created a writeup below for how to use fraction talks, as well as a collection here which are ideal for introducing fraction talks to students early in their understanding of fractions, and then continuing in slowly increasing levels of difficulty.

Fraction Talks are a powerful way to extend the Number Talk format to the domain of fractions. They get all students involved, help them strengthen fluency, intuition, and mental math strategies, improve students’ ability to explain and critique solutions, and allow teachers a valuable window into their students’ thinking, as well as giving a framework for students to develop a more visual, conceptual framework

Download the PDF
– For more information regarding this lesson, and for a collection of fraction images.