Divide students into pairs. Give students square pieces of paper that measure at least four inches square. Emphasize that there may be more than one way of folding for some of the fractions. After they have folded the squares to demonstrate the different fractions, have them glue the papers onto a larger sheet of paper and label. This folding exercise will allow students to think critically and creatively about fractions and help them discover basic origami folds.
Origami is the traditional Japanese art of folding paper into objects.
Brainteasers Jump-start a lesson by giving students daily or weekly brainteasers. Challenge students to create their own. The following Web site provides weekly brainteasers and solutions for grades 3 through 8. Have students visit The Strong Museum to print out the seven pieces that make up the tangram. Ask them to try some of the puzzles on the page, then have them create some of their own.