Parts, Parts, and More Parts is a math WebQuest for 3rd graders. It could be used in lower grades if a teacher or older student were present to read the material to the younger children. The students work in groups of three, with each student having a specific job (Sharer, Measurer, Checker). If the students are unfamiliar with using the pointer feature in PowerPoint, you may want to run off a copy of the third slide in any of the PowerPoint presentations to give to each group of students for reference.
The student rubric evaluation form can be seen by clicking on the Evaluation link above. You will find a printer friendly version here:Printer Friendly Rubric (in Word). Also, here is a suggested storyboard guide Storyboard guide or a printer friendly storyboard guide your students may use Storyboard Guide (in Word).
The Kids and Cookies link is organized so that students can play independently. However, if you would like to do more with this activity off-line with your students, here are links for the cookies, the kids, and a manual with suggestions on more activities. These open in Adobe Reader. Kids and Cookies , The Cookie Manual. Also, the web site for the comparing games activity has more information and games on fractions, decimals, and percents if you are interested in more on-line activities. It can be found at Comparing Games.
This WebQuest is unique in two respects. First, it is based on research in math, rather than a specific set of math standards. Understanding rational numbers is a complex and important mathematical idea. Research indicates that students need to have some basic concepts in place before they can truly understand rational numbers.
This WebQuest is also unique in that it is attempting to acquaint students with basic concepts (as opposed to teaching procedures). It is designed to help students grasp some of the basic concepts of rational numbers. Thus, this WebQuest is an experiment to determine if WebQuests can be used to teach basic concepts (such as those needed to understand rational numbers).
The basic concepts on rational numbers presented in the Power Point presentations involve introducing percents through a computer download bar (something most students have seen before); fractions through sharing (a concept children have used before); decimals as points between two whole numbers. Another concept on percents is estimating the fullness or emptiness of beakers of liquid. Last is the concept of placing the rational numbers on a number line.
The research comes from several sources, but the primary source is J. Moss and R. Case, "Developing Children's Understanding of the Rational Numbers: A New Model and an Experimental Curriculum," in Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, Volume 30, pages 122-147.
The need for such research is not unique to the United States. Other countries recently involved in such research include Greece, China, and Canada.
For more information concerning research in basic concepts of rational numbers, please explore the following links.
ERIC Digest, author Michael Meagher, excellent summary of concepts of rational numbers: Teaching Fractions: New Methods, New Resources
The Rational Number Project, an ongoing research project: The Rational Number Project
Using Computers to Teach Rational Numbers: Using Computers to Teach Rational Numbers
Qualitative research study on mathematics teaching practices in elementary school:Study of Math Curriculum in Early Grades
References on Teaching/Learning of Decimals and Fractions: References