Clip 5/16: Adding and Subtracting Fractions Using a Line Plot Lesson Part 1D

Overview

Mallory’s 5th-grade students discuss their ideas about representing fractional quantities on their line plots with each other as she circulates around the classroom. Some groups have decided to start their line plots with zero, while others have started their line plots with the smallest fraction. She calls some groups’ attention to their very precise spacing: “It’s important with having data like this or a line plot that these spaces are the same, because that’s more accurate.”

Teacher Commentary

In 5th grade, one of the important things that I really like to kind of stand by, as I'm monitoring each group, I really like to visit each group and tell myself that I'm going to ask at least like four to five questions before giving a statement. They're really eager to know whether they're right or wrong, and we're trying to refocus that and retrain their minds with a growth mindset of "Just because I ask a question doesn't necessarily mean you're wrong." I want you to think about, okay, how could I use this to then spark an interest or the next step in my thinking or better understand relationships? So that's really important for me to ask those questions and have them feel comfortable with me asking questions so they understand that I'm not going to give them an answer. I want them to be able to find that solution to the problem and strengthen their problem-solving skills.