Fraction Circles 1-10ths
A detailed guide to understanding the Labeled Fraction Circles material and how it is used within the Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary curriculum
How does it work?
Understanding fractions is an incredibly important concept as it forms a basis for later higher math, chemistry, physics and many practical life activities. After introductory lessons that cover the concept of fractions and their vocabulary, the Labeled Fraction Circles are used for exploring fraction equivalence, improper fractions, and operations with fractions.
Later, they are referenced again to solve equations with different denominators. Instead of simply using drawings representing fractional parts, your child is able to feel and see fractions like 1/10, 2/5, and 3/4, which develops a well-grounded understanding of fractions that serves them for years to come.
The Labeled Fraction Circles set includes five whole circles and five sets of labeled fraction pieces for each of the values from halves to tenths. They are stored in a wooden box with 10 compartments and a lid. *Note, these Fraction Circles can be used in place of the metal fraction insets with corresponding lessons.
Prerequisite Skills - In Lower Elementary, work with the Labeled Fraction Circles 1-10ths presupposes:
- Ability to identify whole-number quantities from 1 to 10
- An understanding of the concepts of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
An indication that your Lower Elementary child is ready to begin studying fractions is when they become curious about whether there are numbers smaller than a whole, or they start asking about fractions we use in everyday language, such as quarters and halves.
In Upper Elementary, work with the Labeled Fraction Circles 1-10ths picks up again after:
- Multiples work
- Factors work
- Addition and subtraction with same denominators
Sample lesson
Start by watching this sample lesson from our Guidepost Homeschool platform that will familiarize you to the Fraction Circles and their use.
If you are already subscribed to Guidepost Homeschool, scroll down to see all the corresponding lessons where the Fraction Circles are used in our curriculum. To unlock more than 2000+ lessons subscribe to Guidepost Homeschool today.
How to set up
Setup - There are 10 compartments in the wooden box to store the labeled fraction pieces. Following the photo example, arrange the values in decreasing order.
- The 5 whole circles should go in the top left (largest compartment)
- The 1/2 cut-outs are placed in the bottom left, below the whole circles
- The 1/3 cut-outs are placed in the next top compartment to the right
- The 1/4 cut-outs follow below and so on until you reach 1/10 cut-outs in the bottom right corner
Additional materials to have handy:
- Math notebook or graph paper cut in ½" squares.
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Scissors
- White glue
- Colored pencils
- White paper plates
- Small whiteboard and markers
For Guidepost Homeschool subscribers
If you are already subscribed to Guidepost Homeschool, start in the order below to navigate to the corresponding lesson plans using the Fraction Circles in our Altitude learning platform.
Wondering about supplies used in particular lessons? Detailed materials lists can be found at the beginning of each lesson in Guidepost’s Altitude system, as well as on the materials cards at the beginning of each unit.
- Corresponding Altitude lessons
Lessons (Altitude Cards) where the Fraction Circles are used
Fraction Fundamentals (Ages 6-8)
- Introduction to Fractions
- Story of the Division Sign
- Equivalence to the Whole
- Equivalence of Fractions
- Adding Fractions with Like Denominators
- Subtracting Fractions with Like Denominators
- Multiplying Fractions by Whole Numbers
- Dividing Fractions by Whole Numbers
- Improper Fractions and Mixed Numbers
- Reducing Fractions to Their Lowest Term
Advanced Fractions (Ages 9-12)
- Adding Fractions with Different Denominators
- Subtracting Fractions with Different Denominators
- Adding and Subtracting: Changing Both Terms
- Abstracting the Rule for Equivalence
- Adding and Subtracting Fractions on Graph Paper
- Abstracting Lowest Common Denominator
- Fraction of a Set
- Multiplying a Whole Number by a Fraction
- Dividing a Whole Number by a Fraction
- Multiplying a Fraction by a Fraction
- Dividing a Fraction by a Fraction
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