Students use estimation to find out whether a package of 40 balloons is enough for everyone in the class of 26 to have two balloons. They discuss the strategies they use to solve this problem and decide if they should buy more packages. Use models to explore operations with fractions and decimals. Students use paper folding to begin to identify and name common fractions. Similarly folded papers, each representing a different unit fraction, allow for early comparison activities.
Second graders use fraction circles to model situations involving fractions of a pizza.
Mary eats two pieces. Students use manipulatives such as pattern blocks or Cuisenaire rods to model fractions. Use a variety of mental computation and estimation techniques. Students regularly practice a variety of oral counting skills, both forward and backward, by various steps. Count by tens - start at 10, at 30, at 110, at 43, at 67, from 54 to 84, and so on.