Investigation of fourth-grade students' mental structures about fractions

Abstract

This study aimed to examine fourth-grade students' mental structures related to the concept of fractions. Twelve fourth-grade students participated in the study, which was conducted in the case study model. The data were collected through triangulation to ensure that the mental structures of the students were examined in depth. Data collection tools are mind maps, fraction concept image test, and fraction modeling test. The data were analyzed using content analysis and the rubric developed in the study. The analysis results of mind maps showed that students' mental structures related to the concept of fractions were gathered mostly under the themes of fraction types, fraction parts, and fraction meanings. The other themes of mind maps are number operations, mathematical notation, mathematics, and modeled objects. With the analysis of the fraction concept image tests, it was revealed that the students had part-whole, quotient, and ratio fraction concept images. However, it was determined that they never used fractions in terms of operators and measures. In addition, it was found that the students used the area model in modeling all of the fraction problems, but they never used the number line and cluster model. This result showed that students associate fractions more with the area model in their minds. It was also seen that the students' fraction modeling skills are at a medium level. The results are discussed in the light of the related studies.