Re-teach Planner

Misconception Identified: Students are adding fractions by adding both numerators and denominators (e.g., 1/3 + 1/4 = 2/7 instead of 7/12).

Root Cause: Students lack a conceptual understanding of what a fraction represents. They're treating numerator and denominator as separate whole numbers.

Re-teach Strategy (30 min):

Visual Anchor (8 min): Use fraction bars to physically show that 1/3 and 1/4 are different-sized pieces. Ask: “Can you combine a third of a pizza with a quarter of a pizza by just adding the numbers?”

Guided Practice (12 min): Walk through 3 examples finding common denominators using fraction strips side by side. Students draw the bars and write the equivalent fractions before adding.

Error Analysis (10 min): Show the incorrect solution (1/3 + 1/4 = 2/7) and the correct one (7/12). Pairs discuss: “What went wrong and why?”

Exit Ticket: Solve 2/5 + 1/3 with a drawing. Must show common denominator step.