Equivalent Fractions - Class on Air Observation

This week, I observed Rebecca Henderson from St Francis of Assisi School teach a Year 7/8 maths lesson on equivalent fractions. I did this by accessing the Manaiakalani Class on Air website. The focus was on changing fractions to have the same denominator and applying this understanding to problem-solving tasks.

What I Liked :

• Direct Instruction: The class unpacked key terms such as numerator, denominator, and equivalence. Students practised finding a common denominator and changing fractions into equivalent fractions.
• Learn Task: Students worked through fraction problems, either individually or with a buddy, and used tools like Mathigon to represent their learning visually.
• Create Task: Students created videos using the Screencast app or Google Slides to explain their understanding, then shared their work on their blogs.

Students collaborated effectively, using clear mathematical vocabulary and explanations during discussions. By the end, they confidently identified common denominators and ordered fractions on a number line.

My Takeaways : 

• Visual tools like Mathigon help students grasp abstract concepts.
• Collaborative tasks encourage deeper understanding and effective communication.
• Including creative tasks like video-making boosts engagement.
• Managing classroom devices can be tricky but rewarding when done well.

This lesson showed me how to blend direct teaching with hands-on and creative activities to make maths lessons more engaging and interactive.

Thank you Rebecca for sharing your mahi for us to learn from!

Click here to see the Class on Air lesson I observed.