Dottie 
for fractiions try this url 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/numbers/fractiondecimalpercentage/
 
I find the biggest issue when teaching fractions is it goes against all we understand about numbers - the larger the number , the bigger it is 
with fractions as the denominator gets bigger the fractions actually get smaller 
 
Also try this as well 
http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/
 
I agree with the comments about using realia but have worked in workplaces where people used metric/imperial rulers still got them confused 
 
Also this set of materials might haver something about treaching measurement in the actual context but it is UK so uses metrics but you can change material 
 
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus/embeddedlearning/searchresults.cfm?search=none&frm_sector=Skills_for_construction&setting=Skills_for_construction&StartRow=1&PageNum=1
 
see Module 3 
 
good luck 
 
Susan Reid 
Manager , Consultancy Services 
Workbase the New Zealand Centre for Workforce Literacy 
www.workbase.org.nz
 

________________________________

From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of Dottie
Sent: Tue 7/02/2006 4:58 p.m.
To: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List
Subject: Re: [EnglishLanguage] teaching linear measures


Colleagues:  HELP!
 
Any ideas for teaching linear measure other than basic vocab. (inch, feet, yard, fractions 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16; length, width, etc) and actually measuring things in the classroom & immediately outside?
 
We have a very good possibility of several woodworking/carpenter jobs for our refugee clients (mostly Meskhetian Turks & Montangards), but I must teach them to understand & do measures within the next week or so.
 
The M. Turks (from Russia) & some of the Montangards have high school educations, so I think they'll know the concept of fractions, but as related to the metric system.  I plan to do 1/8 & 1/16 w/a pizza illustration, but I really need other ideas! 
 
Of course, I'll hit Home Depot & Lowe's for donations of measuring tools!
 
Thanks,
 
Dottie Shattuck
ELT instructor
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
Charlotte, NC
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