Fractions and Ratios
In Unit 4, your child reviewed equivalent fractions. In this unit, we will apply
this knowledge
to compute with fractions and mixed numbers. Students will learn that the key to
fraction
computation with un like denominators is to find common denominators .
Unit 8 also introduces fraction multiplication. Students will use folded paper
to represent
fractions of a whole. Then the class will study fraction multiplication using
area models,
which are diagrams that show a whole divided into parts . This concept building
will lead
to a rule for multiplying fractions:
Example: 
For mixed- number multiplication , students will rename the
mixed numbers as
fractions, then use the rule to multiply. Finally they rename the product as a
mixed number.
Example: 
Your child might want to use partial products to solve
this problem :
can be thought of as
. There are 4 partial
products, as indicated by arrows:
Add the partial products:
Your child will play several games such as, Build-It and
Fraction Action, Fraction
Friction, to practice sorting fractions and adding fractions with unlike
denominators.
Finally, as part of the American Tour, students will explore data related to
population
distribution and household sizes.
Please keep this Family Letter for reference as your child works
through Unit 8.
Vocabulary
Important terms in Unit 8:
area model A model for multiplication problems in
which the length and width of a rectangle represent
the factors and the area re presents the product .
discount The amount by which a price of an item
is reduced in a sale, usually given as a fraction or
percent of the original price, or as a “percent off.”
For example, a $4 item on sale for $3 is discounted
to 75% or 
of its original price. A $10.00
item at
10% off costs $9.00, or 
less than the usual
price.
majority A number or amount that is more than
half of a total number or amount.
quick common denominator The product of
the denominators of two or more fractions . For
example, the quick common denominator of and
is 
In
general, the quick common
denominator of 
and
is 
.
unit fraction A fraction whose numerator is 1.
For example, 
, and
are unit fractions. Unit
fractions are especially useful in converting between
measurement systems . For example, because
1 foot=12 inches you can multiply a number of
inches by 
to convert to feet.
unit percent One percent (1%).
| Building Skills through Games
In Unit 8, your child will practice skills with
fractions and other numbers by playing the fol lowing games .
For detailed instructions of most games, see the Student Reference Book.
Build-It See Student Reference Book, p. 300. This game for
partners requires a deck of 16 Build-It fraction
cards. This game provides practice in comparing and ordering fractions .
Factor Captor See Student Reference Book, p. 306. Partners play
this game with a calculator and paper
and pencil. This game provides practice finding factors of a number.
Mixed-Number Spin See Student Reference Book, p. 322. Partners
use a spinner to randomly select
fractions and mixed numbers, used to complete number sentences. This
game provides practice in
adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers.
Frac- Tac-Toe See Student Reference Book, p. 274–276. This game
for partners requires a deck of number
cards 0–10 and a gameboard similar to a bingo card. The game provides
practice converting between
fractions, decimals , and percents.
Fraction Action, Fraction Friction See Student Reference Book, p.
312. This game for partners requires a
set of 16 Fraction Action, Fraction Friction cards. The game provides
practice adding fractions with
unlike denominators.
Name That Number See Student Reference Book, p. 325. Partners
play a card game. This game provides
practice in using order of operations to write number sentences. |
