Math Lesson Idea: Teaching Fractions
Description
To practice using fractional parts of a whole, recognizing
relative sizes and equivalent fractions.
Materials
Handout: Fraction Kit .
Colored pencils or markers.
Optional (for the Cover-up game below) - Fraction dice, available in our library.
Suggestions
To make the fraction cut-outs:
Print the Fraction Kit and cut out the separate pieces.
Color code each size fraction by giving it a border or circling its label. Alternatively you can make your own
fraction cut-outs of colored construction paper.
Fraction kits can be used to teach many concepts such as:
Equivalent fractions -line up the cut-outs to see how many 1/12 's equal 1/4, for example.
Addition and subtraction of fractions.
Reducing fractions - express a given number with the smallest possible number of cut-outs.
Try the Fraction Cover-Up game:
You and your student each start with a “1 WHOLE" cut-out in front of you.
Take turns rolling the die.
Take the fraction you roll and place it on the whole.
The first player to cover their whole exactly wins.
Then reverse the procedure: Whatever you roll, you take off (or subtract) that fraction.
You may have to exchange first. For example, if you roll 1/8 on your first roll, you must exchange 1/2 for 4/8
before you can subtract 1/8.
The winner is the first player to uncover his or her WHOLE exactly.
For more challenges, play to cover up two wholes, or 1 and1/2 wholes.