Migrant Education

Welcome to Unit 1.2 Operating on Fractions!

This unit focuses on the CAHSEE problem:

11/12 - (1/3 + 1/4) =

A. 1/3

B. 3/4

C. 5/6

D. 9/5

Only 40% of students who took the 2002 administration of the CAHSEE were successful on this question. As you progress through this unit, you will deepen your content knowledge on order of operations with fractions and develop instructional strategies that assist students in mastering these kinds of problems.

California Mathematics Content standards addressed in this question include:

Number Sense (7^th) 2.0 Students calculate and solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Algebra and Functions (7^th) 1.0 Students write verbal expressions and sentences as algebraic expressions and equations; they evaluate algebraic expressions, solve simple linear equations, and graph and interpret their results.

Successful completion of Unit 1.1 The Tree Trunk is a prerequisite to this unit. 

In Unit 1.2: Operating on Fractions, you will

• deepen your understanding of mathematical concepts in Algebra, including equivalent fractions, lowest common denominator, order of operations, and complex two-step problems involving fractions and order of operations.

• explore strategies for supporting and engaging English learners, including emphasizing the natural ways in which mathematics and what goes on in mathematics classrooms are advantageous to ELs, increasing comprehensible input increasing student interactions; and increasing thinking skills.

• focus on new instructional and assessment strategies that make effective use of student whiteboards in the classroom through managing student whiteboard use, using progress-monitoring strategies and reteaching as necessary, and establishing ways for students to record important information.

• apply your new knowledge and skills in the Lesson Plan Project

• What you will see:
  • This unit is organized around a highly-missed question from the CA High School Exit Examination
  • This unit presents lessons taught by two middle school math teachers.
  • These teachers designed the lessons with input from our math experts, Dr. Marty Bonsangue and Dr. Harris Shultz.
  • Each unit in Module 1 has two strands--one on math content and one on instructional strategies.

• What you will do:
  • As you move through the unit, you will read text, view videoclips of classroom teaching, and respond to assessment questions.
  • You will submit your responses to the assessment questions as you move through the unit.
  • Once you submit a response, feedback from Drs. Bonsangue, Shultz and Costa, along with Dr. Grace Cho will "pop-up" for your viewing.
    • In addition, your Online Facilitator will be checking your responses for accuracy and completion.
  • At the end of each strand, you will be asked to post your reflection on the Discussion Board. You will also respond to a colleague's posting.
  • At the end of the unit, you will also be asked to reflect on the entire learning experience
  • At the end of this unit, you also complete part of an on-going lesson plan project. Our goal is to develop your ability to design, implement, and share effective lessons.

Unit 1.2 Operating on Fractions should take 10-15 hours, depending on your technology skills and knowledge of instructional strategies. You may complete this unit on your own time, but each strand is expected to be completed by a specific deadline. This will allow your Online Facilitator to provide collective support and will facilitate your collaboration with your colleagues. It will also insure that you complete the unit by the course endpoint.