Judith L. Bellonio
Purpose: Develop a further understanding of fractions and mixed numbers using
Cuisenaire strips (or rods).
Materials: Cuisenaire strips (or rods) - one set per student
Cuisenaire strip (or rods) worksheet
Students may work cooperatively in pairs. Prior to starting, students should lay the strips out from smallest to largest. There are 10 different colors in a Cuisenaire strip set; each 1" wide color strip is measured in inches starting with White (1") through Orange (10"). The colors are in the following sequence: White, red, green, purple, yellow, dark green, black, brown, blue and orange.
Activity: Cuisenaire Strips Worksheet
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1. If the orange strip = 1, each colored strip is what fractional part of the orange strip? List each of the colors from white to orange.
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2. If the purple strip = 1, each colored strip is what fractional part of the purple strip? List each of the colors from white to orange.
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3. If the red strip = ½, which strip = 1?
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4. If the red strip = 1/3, which strip = 1?
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5. If the white strip = 1/5, which strip = 1?
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6. If the white strip = ¼, which strip = 1?
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7. If the red strip = ½, which strip = 1 ½?
Pre-Lesson Activity: Have students make their own set of Cuisenaire strips. Students can:
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• Work cooperatively, i.e., one student is in charge of making all of the white 1" strips and another is in charge of the red ones, etc. or
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• Each student is given 10-1" wide colored strips and is to measure out/make their own set or
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• Each student is given 10-1" wide white strips and is to color/measure out/make their own set.
Internet Activity: http://best.com/~ejad/java and click on Cuisenaire rods.
(figures available in print form)
