Tangram Fractions

Students will:

• Be able to make four fractions with tangrams and explain their thinking using SeeSaw.

Vocabulary Words:

1. Tangram- A tangram is a wood or plastic shape used for learning.

To prepare for this lesson:

Before the lesson, teachers must set up SeeSaw accounts for their classes and invite parents to join.

• Please view the TEACHER video on using SeeSaw in the classroom. 

• Students should also know the basic features of SeeSaw.

  • Please view the following videos to decide how your students will access SeeSaw.  Students can access it with email, a class code, or a QR code. 

    •  Student sign-in using email

    • Get Students Started on Seesaw: Sign in with a code

• Here is a student video on how to use SeeSaw. 

• The SeeSaw app needs to be downloaded on student devices or bookmarked on computers. 

  Note: SeeSaw has many other tutorials on their website and Help Center.

• Teachers will need to have Tangrams available to students or have a Tangram app or website available.

See the Accommodations Page and Charts on the 21things4students website in the Teacher Resources. 

Directions for this activity:

1. Teach students about fractions as parts of a whole. Students should have some prior knowledge of fractions.

2. Explain to students that different small tangrams can be used to make other shapes. Here is an example:
   

3. As you show each tangram, ask students to help decide how to write the fraction.

4. Use the annotate feature or marker to outline each fraction. If using electronice tangrams, students can draw within the Math App. If using wooden tangrams, students can take a picture of their fractions and then outline them in SeeSaw.

5. Independent Work: Students take what they have learned about fractions and use Tangrams to demonstrate 4 fractions.

6. Once they have four fractions on their desk, they will add a photo of their work to SeeSaw.

7. Students open the SeeSaw app and press the “+” sign, then select the camera icon to take a photo.

8. Next, students select the draw tool to outline their fractions and label with numbers.

9. After labeling their fractions, students tap the microphone and explain their work.

10. When finished, students select the green check to add it to their journal.

Note: Here is a photo of the steps to add and explain a photo in SeeSaw:

Different options for assessing the students:

• Observations
• Check for understanding
• Teachers can see what students have posted to their journal from the Teacher side of SeeSaw. They are able to leave feedback for students and intervene with any students who does not get the pattern concept.