Montessori fraction puzzle with cards

This Montessori fraction skittles set includes

1. 10 fraction skittles. Fraction Skittles are 9 cm tall
   
2. Wooden tray 27cm*6.5cm
   
3. 13 picture cards
   
4. 10 symbol cards
   
5. Fraction task cards (30 pages with answer key), digital copy
   

**Optional: Hardcopy fraction task cards. Printed on 65lbs cardstock

The concept of fractions can be difficult for children to grasp in the abstract, the fraction skittles give a concrete three dimensional experience of how one whole skittle can be divided into halves, thirds and quarters. They also demonstrate that 2 quarters are equivalent to 1 half.

The fractions can also be weighed on a balance scale to give another concrete experience of the differences in their size.

The fraction skittles are colour coded to give the child a control of error.

Todder: learn 1-4
For a toddler, he/she may not be able to list out all the skittles shown on the image. A parent can put the skittles out and let the toddler put it back. After this exercise, the toddler will take out skittles and put it back for many times!)

When a parent lists out the skittles. you can use the numbers (1-4) or the fraction language (for example, for 1/2 = part 1 of 2, for 2/2 = part 2 of 2)

With the color matching, a toddler can put the skittles back easily.
It is a good motor control exercise for toddler. The skittles are easy to hold with toddler's small hands. It takes little effort to assemble the skittles without knocking them down.

Introduction of fraction (for age 4-6)

1. Carry the skittles to the table

2. Take out the whole skittle and hold it upside down. Trace the edge with two fingers and say 'It is one whole'

3. Take halves skittles and hold it upside down. Compare it with the whole skittles. Put two bottoms together to show they are the same size. (Let the child repeat this step if he/she is interested )

4. Take halves skittles apart and say 'One, two'

5. Repeat step3-4 for the rest skittles

Introduction of fraction language

Use three period lessons to introduce the fraction language
1. Carry the skittles to the table

2. Take out the whole skittle and hold it upside down. Trace the edge with two fingers and say 'It is one whole'

3. Take half skittle and hold it upside down. Trace the edge with two fingers and say ' It is one half'

4. Take one third skittle and hold it upside down. Trace the edge with two fingers and say 'It is one third'

5. Take one fourth skittle and hold it upside down. Trace the edge with two fingers and say 'It is one fourth'

The Cards are used to introduce the symbol of fractions. With the same colour of the cards and skittles, a child can put the skittles on the corresponding cards easily.

After a child can master this part, it is the time to introduce the symbols.