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Math Help - How Can I Help My Child With Fractions At Home?

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For most students, the word ‘fraction’ is like the plague. Why? The most obvious answer is the fact that fractions are difficult to conceptualize because they are abstract (unless there is a pizza on the table) and they involve good multiplication skills. It is rare, although possible, for students to have excellent multiplication skills and yet have difficulty with fractions. Another problem is that most students do not see the connection between every day life and fractions. Students comprehend math skills more effectively when the skills are related to their own lives.

In order for students to get a grasp on the basics of fractions, they must a) know their multiplication tables, and b) be able to relate fractions to real life.

You can help your child learn fractions by trying the following tips:

Teach your child that 4/4 equals a whole, 12/12 equals a whole and so on.

Cut pieces of paper into equal lengths but divide the lengths into different fractions (also known as fractions strips). This will give your child a concrete concept of fractions and how they compare to each other
Have your child practice rote counting by fractions (e.g. 2/5, 3/5, 4/5, etc..
Have your child practice multiples for every number up to 10 (e.g. 4, 8, 12, 16…)
Have your child help follow recipes that involve fractions (i.e. real life measurements such as ounces, pounds, cups etc…).
Study fractions using money (e.g. a penny is 1/10 of a dime; a quarter is ¼ of a dollar, etc…).
Look at flyers with your child and determine the cost of items with discounts that are listed in fractions (e.g. a new video game is 1/3 off the original price).
Order an extra large or party size pizza and have fun adding and subtracting fractions.

You can use these home lessons to help improve your child’s understanding of fractions. See which types of ‘home’ lessons work best for your child and try to use them as often as you can.

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Tutorgiant.com provides complete Fractions lessons with worksheets.

See some of the lessons in our video library.

FRACTIONS - Lesson (A) Introduction to Fractions (Grades 1-2)

FRACTIONS - Lesson (B) Fractions of Sets (Grade 3)

FRACTIONS - Lesson (C) Comparing Fractions (Grade 3)

FRACTIONS - Lesson (D) Equivalent (Grades 4-5)

FRACTIONS - Lesson (E) Equivalent (Numerical) (Grades 4-5)

FRACTIONS - Lesson (F) Changing Fractions to Decimals (Grades 4-5)

FRACTIONS - Lesson (F2) Changing Fractions to Decimals Using Division (Grades 5-6)

FRACTIONS - Lesson (G) Changing Decimals into Fractions (Grades 4-6)

FRACTIONS - Lesson (H) Comparing (Grade 5)