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The right response could then be expanded... "No, you can't do that, because those kids are at a different table. If you want to add Jack and Brad you have to
by mnsc 6y ago
The right response could then be expanded...
"No, you can't do that, because those kids are at a different table. If you want to add Jack and Brad you have to go back and see their fraction _of both tables_. They are each 1/6 so together they are 1/6 + 1/6 = 2/6"
Then you could talk about if the ratios are same at both tables 1/3. Adding both tables together keeps the ratio. 1/3 + 1/3 = 1/3.
- Wowfunhappy 6y agoAh, I like that! Yes, re-frame the wrong statement into a correct one, then keep going. Feels better than ignoring it. (I wouldn't introduce ratios though, that's a totally new concept.) This is closer to what the teacher actually did—but then she became focused on explaining why the original supposition was wrong, as opposed to moving on to clearer examples.
- aeternum 6y agoI like the units explanation a lot more. Saying you can't put two tables together when you clearly can in the real world is seems deeply unsatisfying. Kids hate being told they can't do something.
- Wowfunhappy 6y agomnsc's explanation shows that you can put the tables together, you just need to take both tables into account from the outset.