This makes my job easier!

Today was day one of fractions greater than one. I was hesitant to begin mixed and improper fractions because my class last year had a lot of difficulty with the concept. Please keep in mind that I was not the person who introduced mixed and improper fractions. That was done before my arrival.

I put up the transparency with pictures of fractions greater than one using improper fractions. I had the kids remind me what the numerator and denominator meant in the fractions we have been working with. I explained how these fractions were similar and what the numerator and denominator mean when dealing with these fractions. The room was completely silent. I was worried. I continued to tell myself that if they don't get it on the first example, continue. I reminded myself that I was the kid and still am the person who learns best by seeing many examples. I persevered. I explained the next example. All of a sudden I heard many shouts, "I get it!!!!" I breathed a sigh of relief. Before I could reveal the next examples, almost every kid was jumping out of their seat ready to answer. There were a few kids who didn't quite get it, but because the were so few, I had plenty of time to explain it to them and have their friends explain it to them.

I couldn't give them enough problems. I reached the bottom of the page and they wanted more. I pulled out the next transparency to move on to mixed fractions. I received a very similar response to the first example of improper fractions. And again, I received a very similar response after the second example. "I GET IT!" This is when I could breath easy, well, easier. Again, they wanted more problems when we were finished.

They have told me that they would love to do math all day. Sometimes when I feel a time crunch, I do teach another math lesson the last 30 minutes of the day (during our allotted intervention time). They love it. They eat up math problems faster than I can give them. Even today we packed up faster than usual and I got out the transparencies again and they cheered. I love this. I love seeing my class so excited about learning. Seeing them so excited about learning makes my job of trying to make school fun much easier.