Math Sticking Point: Fractions
Fractions begin to appear as early as 1st grade mathematics, and educators typically introduce fraction operations in 4th grade. By Grade 7, students focus on fractions and their operations as cornerstone topics, as teachers introduce proportional reasoning and slope. Yet by the end of Grade 8, proficiency with fraction operations is as low as 28% nationwide based on studies by the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
In this workshop, teachers will dive deeper into recent research, exploring why students typically struggle with fractions and fraction operations. We will then explore proven strategies that move students away from “tricks” and toward a conceptual understanding of what fractions are. By the end of this workshop, you will have a better understanding of the role of fractions in the number system and be able to share that understanding with your students.
Audience: Math teachers, instructional coaches, multiple-subject teachers, special education teachers, administrators, support staff.
Length: 1 hour
Presenter/s: Jesse Vickers
Dates: November 17, 2026
Time: 4 pm
Cost: Free
Outcomes
- Define misconceptions about what fractions are and what they represent
- Analyze student work samples to identify student misconceptions
- Compare and contrast varying strategies used to build a conceptual understanding of fraction operations
Teacher Bio
Jesse Vickers is a math teacher at Chartwell High School. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a Master’s in Instructional Science and Technology, both from CSU Monterey Bay. When he’s not teaching, you can find him spending time with his family, either at the beach or a nearby bookstore.
