Ms.

Mas Technology News

Welcome to the 4th Grade! I hope everyone is
adjusting well to the new school year.
The purpose of this newsletter is to announce
some very exciting technology updates in our
classroom. We have recently acquired iPads
and will be using some educational apps to
facilitate our newest mathematics unit.
We are beginning our unit on rational
numbers, which includes fractions, decimals,
ratios, and proportions. Two apps we will be
using to enhance our learning are Motion
Math: Fractions! and Everyday Mathematics
Equivalent Fractions. Both of these apps
combine mathematics with interactive and fun
games. These games will give students the
incentive to learn on their own. Learning
should be a fun process!
While these apps are a great resource in our
classroom, please note they will not replace
regular lessons and teacher and student
interaction. These apps will just be used for
additional practice, as well as a way for
students to learn math while having fun.
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Boston College
Partnership School
Chestnut Hill, MA

Oct ober 2014
Vol ume 1, I ssue 1



M MA AT TH H A AN ND D
T TE E C C H HN NO OL L O OG GY Y
Motion Math: Fractions!
Motion Math: Fractions! is an interactive app
which helps students to learn multiple
representations of rational numbers. It is fast-
paced and multi-leveled, which requires students
to think quickly on their feet while reinforcing
their knowledge of fractions, decimals, pie charts,
percentages, and number lines. Students tilt the
iPad to move an object containing a certain value
to its appropriate place on the screen, depending
on the levels format. There are two main game
formats which I will detail below. Both formats
are very helpful when it comes to comparing
different representations of rational numbers.
The first format, pictured above, helps strengthen
students knowledge on where fractions, decimals,
etc. are located on a number line. By tilting the
screen, students must estimate where the value
on the bouncing object should be placed on the
number line. The object moves fast, so students
must learn to keep up with the pace. If the player
does not estimate correctly the first time, this
game provides scaffolds. At first, the game
presents an arrow, saying the estimate needs to
be higher or lower. Afterwards, the line may be
split into equal segments equal to the fractions
denominator (see second picture), or even provide
other fractions on the number line to help them
base their estimate.

Best,
Ms. Ma

Questions or Comments?
Dont hesitate to email me at maba@bc.edu


Ms. Mas Technology News Page 2

Everyday Mathematics
Equivalent Fractions
For those students who would prefer a more relaxing
game to practice comparing fractions, Everyday
Mathematics Equivalent Fractions by McGraw-Hill is
the app for them. This app is a game similar in
format to solitaire. Each card has the name of a
fraction with a visual depiction. Students are
required to match cards of fractions that are
equivalent. They continue to do this until all cards
are gone. The object of the game is to get as many
correct matches in a row as possible.

The second format supports the comparison
of rational numbers with a given fraction.
They start off having students compare with
1/2, 2/2, and 3/4. Students have to tilt the
screen for the falling object to land on less
equals [insert fraction] or more. One of
our objectives for this unit is for students to
learn to compare different representations
of rational numbers as less than, equal
to, or greater than, so this game helps
students practice that skill.
Below are screen shots of this game format,
which shows raindrops with pie charts
depicting a certain fraction, which the
student has to tilt to fall into the correct
category. Here, students are learning how
to quickly and accurately compare pie
charts to the fraction .


Math Motions continued
Math Motions: Fractions! is a fast-paced,
interactive, easy-to-play educational game
which will allow students to learn while
having fun. It has three base levels
(beginner, medium, and hard) while
providing scaffolds to help students of all
abilities. The scoring system (which is in
fractions), gold stars, and verbal praise are
all very encouraging. This app is very fun
and will help 4
th
grade students practice
their knowledge of rational numbers.

This app helps with one of our objectives in this
unit, which is to learn to find fractions that are
equal to another. Compared to Math Motions:
Fractions!, this app is not as versatile. However, it
does work better for students who require more
time to think. It does not rely on speed as Math
Motions does. This virtual game is child-friendly and
very similar to playing using real fraction cards.
Rather than completing worksheets, students can
use this game as a fun way to practice comparing
equivalent fractions.
To the right is
a screenshot
of the player
matching two
equivalent
fractions: 1/6
and 2/12.

Similar to using
real fraction cards,
students can move
some of the cards
around to compare
values. Here, the
player is
comparing 3/4 and
8/12, which are
not equivalent.