Learning to add and subtract fractions is one of those Math lessons that is not easy to teach – nor easy to grasp. Wallace 5th grade Math teacher Tammy Davis used a unique project to help her students understand the concept.

Davis took a “patient” and put a fraction problem on each section of the patient’s “body”. She cut the pieces apart and put them in a tin pan. Students had to use tweezers to pull out one piece at a time, place it on the operating table to solve problem on their patient chart. The object? To solve all the problems and put the “patient” back together again.

Davis said, “We wore gloves and masks to keep our operating area sterile.”

Wallace Principal James Gibson happened to be in the room while the lesson was happening. He had this to say: “Mrs. Davis’ class is always innovative and fun, but this lesson was one of the most engaging activities I’ve seen the kids involved with. Every student, or should I say every “Doctor,” was working hard to save their patient before time ran out. It was fun for me just sitting in class observing them.”

The students were working in groups, he explained “I overheard them saying things like ‘We have to find the neck before the head. He couldn’t survive without his head and we need the neck first!”

Photos:
WallaceFractions1:  Lead Doctor (Teacher Tammy Davis) oversees the operations of Azarian Rudd, Falyn Ramsey and Benito Mata.

WallaceFractions2: “Doctor” Falyn Ramsey works on her patient’s chart.

WallaceFractions3:  “Doctors” Rane Miller and Hayden Vickers consult as they work on their patient’s chart.

WallaceFractions4:  The “Patient”