Fraction Flags - Creative Thinking

My students have graph paper journals I gave them this year.  Recently I asked them to design a 300 square flag, where they made a pattern using 1/3 of the flag, 1/5 of the flag, and 1/6 of the flag and the rest of the flag as patterns. I suggested they lay out their flag patterns in something more sophisticated than rectangles.  We got some interesting results.  My goal is to let students be creative while thinking, and for them to be successful.  Allowing space for thinking, and for open-ended questions leaves room for success for all my students, even those who find math a struggle.

Three Fourths How? Good thinking!!!!

This year I gave each of my students a composition book filled with graph paper.  They are kept in bins in the classroom, and at least weekly, we use them for some interesting critical thinking problems.  The first I gave them was to depict the amount 3/4 in as many ways as they could... using words, numbers, pictures, music, design, whatever they could come up with.  I told them I expected at least five ideas per student.  We got great stuff!!!  3/4 Time in music, 3 quarters taped to the page, 3/4 pizza, 3/4 as equivalent fractions... We shared in groups, and then with the whole class.  I then challenged the students to bring in another creative way to show 3/4 the next day as extra credit on the first test.
Here are some of the interesting ideas I received.

"Three Fourth Awakens" with 3/4 Darth Vader's face

 

"3/4 a Bearded Dragon's Shed Skin"

"3/4 the way there"

"3/4 the Cranes are Green"

"3/4 the Gloves are Pink"