Part

One: Rational Number Interview

Report on students rational number understandings
Lucas is able to identify a unit fraction by counting each individual part of a whole. He is able to
distinguish different fractional proportions of a whole by recognising benchmark fractions (1/2 & 1/4)
using a visual stimulus. For example, Lucas can identify of a whole and continue to solve another
proportion of the same whole (e.g. 1/6) using his prior knowledge of 1/4 to assist him. However, is
unable to explain how he knows each fractional unit of the whole. On an array, he is able to visually
locate two-thirds of a fraction but is unable to rename an equivalent fraction using the same array.
Lucas is able to create whole lengths of a common fraction (e.g. 2/3!3/3) but is unable to create a
whole fraction when given an improper fraction (e.g. 4/3!3/3). He is able to locate 1/2 and 3/4 on a
number line between zero and one. Although, Lucas is unable to locate fractions such as 3/5 and 6/10
on the same number line. Lucas is unable to add two fractions together that add close to one. He finds
fractional proportions of whole numbers (6,10 & 9) by using multiplication strategies (e.g. uses fingers,
and counts up by 2s until he reaches 10 and sees that the first finger was 2 which is one-fifth).
However, he is unable to find fractional proportions in fractional units (e.g 1/3 of 1/2). Lucas is able to
use his part-whole knowledge of fractions to equally share fractional proportions amongst whole
numbers. For example, Lucas can individually split 3 pizzas into fifths and share equally amongst 5 girls.
He is able to use the same strategy for a different fractional number sentence (2 3) and identify who
gets more pieces, but is unable to justify why. Lucas can visually identify a fraction (e.g. 2 shaded of out
5) and comprehend ratios but is unable to find equivalence amongst the same image/fraction. He can
order decimals from smallest to largest by using benchmark numbers to assist him (e.g. 0.5=1/2).
Although, Lucas is unable to write down written decimals such as two-tenths and eight hundredths.
He is able to visually identify decimals in a real life context using scales. For example, Lucas can measure
how much water is in a container using the partition lines on each jug. However, he needs to be mindful
of the units he is working with when solving a problem (mL or L). Lucas is unable to add two decimals
together.

Word Count: 412 words