Fractions: Take Two!!
Okay… a few weeks ago, I shared the beginning of our fraction unit with you. You can check out that post here! This time, we’re talking about equivalent fractions…
Let’s dive into the rest of our fraction fun!
(You can check out these posters and so many other fun activities for introducing fractions, here!)
Start with a Numberline
After reviewing our key vocabulary again (every time, folks, every time! I mean do you ever catch yourself saying, “Man, I went over that vocabulary too much!”? Yeah… me neither…), we were ready to move on and learn about how to put fractions on a number line.
To demonstrate this, I passed out fraction cards with fraction sets between 0 and 1. Then, I had two students stand at the front of the room holding a long piece of string. We worked together to place the 0 and 1 cards first. Then, moved to halves, fourths, and thirds. We discussed how we were partitioning the line into sections as we went.
Introducing Equivalent Fractions
Now, we were ready to move on to equivalent fractions. To introduce the idea, I used these awesome fraction models. Next, we made a reference of all equivalent fractions for one-half on our whiteboard. Students worked on their own personal whiteboards, while I recorded upfront.
For small group, I pulled a few students to my table and we worked together again to review this concept.
I also found this great little freebie from Jan Lindley to help with my re-teaching of this concept! You can check it out here!
Differentiation Works
I had one friend who really struggles with cutting and pasting. Our ISN is his Achilles heel. So, while most of my students worked to create reference pages in their math ISN’s, he asked if he could tell me a story instead… I was like, “Ummm…SURE!?”
Now, you might not be able to read his story, but you can definitely see all of his equivalent fractions!
Moral of the story... don’t be afraid to allow your students to show you what they’re learning in their own way. Did he prove that he understood equivalent fractions? For sure!
Bonus: neither he nor his teacher was frustrated with one another for not completing the assignment! Allow for differentiation, folks… your students’ abilities will blow your mind if you allow them to access the information in a way that they can relate.
Comparing Fractions
Finally, we were ready to move on to comparing fractions. After our practice so far, comparing fractions with like denominators was easy (pie and cookies always work well!). But comparing fractions with different numerators and denominators? That proved to be a bit trickier!
So, after LOTS of discussions with reasoning, we completed this fun comparing fractions activity…
To complete the activity, each student got 3 sets of a certain type of food item. They were challenged with writing their own comparing story using the food items as inspiration.
You can grab this little fun activity here for FREE!!
A Quick Trick
Of course, it is super important that students can use reasoning to compare fractions, but sometimes you just need a “quick” way to compare to fractions (especially if they’re really close in size!). One of my teammates shared this little trick with me…
Check Out These Fraction Activities
In need of some tools for your fraction unit? This unit has vocabulary posters, tons of hands-on activities, games, and quick prints! Check it out here in my website store or on TPT!
Sign up to snag these!
Receive all these classroom management tools right to your inbox!
